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THE APOCRYPHA 


FEVISED VERSION 





VOORSANGER GOLLECTION 


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SEMITIC LEALBRARY 


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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 


GIFT OF 


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THE 


TRANSLATED OUT OF THE 





GREEK AND LATIN TONGUES 


me BEING THE VERSION SET FORTH A. D. 1611 


COMPARED WITH THE MOST ANCIENT AUTHORITIES AND REVISED 


A. D. 1894 











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Thomas Melson & Sons 
A 33 EAST 17™ STREET (UNION SQUARE) 
NEW YORK 
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THE NAMES AND ORDER 


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BOOKS CALLED APOCRYPHA. 





Page 
IDG el ae ee 1 
RM Grst if ta, Cnt ree 14 
Sh ae a 38 
nS ll Aa ere 46 
Tue Rest or EstHER- -. = - - 58 
Tue Wispom or Sovomon. . - - 61 
DOR ea 78 


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Page 

BaArRvucH, WITH THE EPISTLE OF 
wena. SO te RS 120 

THE Sone oF THE THREE HOoLy 
CC ce i ie le ke ke Sp. 125 
Tue History oF SusANNA-. . - - 127 
BEL AND THE DRAGON -..: - - 129 
Tue PRAYER OF MANASSES. . -. - 130 
3. Macoi pune ©. cals GS FS 131 
TI. MaccaBEES- -----+--- 157 








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PREFACE. 


Tue Version of the Apocrypha which is here presented to the Reader forms 
the last portion of the Revision of the Authorised Version of 1611. 

The present work, owing to various circumstances, has been somewhat long 
delayed. It will be found, however, to have been executed carefully and faith- 
fully, though it was of necessity intrusted to small Committees formed out of the 
two Companies of Revisers. 

The Revision of the Authorised Version of the Apocrypha was included in the 
arrangement between the Companies and the Representatives of the Presses of 
Oxford and Cambridge, and was to be proceeded with as soon as the other and 
greater portions of the work were concluded. No division of labour in regard to 
the Apocrypha was formally made between the two Companies, but as it 
appeared clearly desirable that there should be no unnecessary delay in the 
revision, there was an understanding between the Companies that the New 
Testament Company should commence the work as soon as the Revision of the 
Authorised Version of the New Testament was completed and published. For 
this, preparation was made by the New Testament Company as their work was 
drawing to its close, and in the following manner. 

It was resolved (March 21, 1879) that, after the conclusion of the Revision of 
the Authorised Version of the New Testament, the Company should be divided 
into three Committees, to be called the London, Westminster, and Cambridge 
Committees, for the purpose of beginning the Revision of the Apocrypha. 

The London Committee was to consist of the following members:— The 
Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol (Dr. Ellicott), the Bishop of Salisbury (Dr. 
Moberly), the Bishop of St. Andrews (Dr. Wordsworth), the Dean of Rochester 
(Dr. Scott), the Dean of Lichfield (Dr. Bickersteth), the Master of the Temple 
(Dr. Vaughan), Rev. Principal Angus, and Rev. Prebendary Humphry. This 
Committee was to take the Book of Ecclesiasticus. 

The Westminster Committee was to consist of the following members :— 
The Archbishop of Dublin (Dr. Trench), the Dean of Westminster (Dr. Stanley), 
the Archdeacon of Dublin (Dr. Lee), the Archdeacon of Oxford (Dr. Palmer), 
Rey. Dr. Scrivener, Rev. Principal Brown, Rev. Principal Newth, and Rey. Dr. 
Vance Smith. This Committee was to take the First Book of Maccabees. The 
Books of Tobit and Judith were afterwards, by special arrangement with the 
Old Testament Company, undertaken by this Committee. 

The Cambridge Committee was to consist of the following members :— The 
Bishop of Durham (Dr. Lightfoot), the Dean of Lincoln (Mr. Blakesley), Rev. 
Professor Hort, Rev. Professor Kennedy, Rev. Professor Westcott, Rev. Dr. 
Milligan, Rev. Dr. Moulton, and Rey. Dr. Roberts. This Committee was to take 
the Book of Wisdom and the Second Book of Maccabees. 

In connexion with the foregoing resolution it was resolved at the final meeting 
of the Company, on Thursday, November 11, 1880:— (1) that the decisions be 
arrived at by simple majorities; (2) that the successive portions of the work 
when printed be forwarded to the members of the other two Committees. A 
third resolution was passed constituting the Rev. Dr. Troutbeck the General 
Secretary of the three Committees, and, as such, responsible for the printing of 
the portions of the work as they were finished; but the latter part of this 














vill PREFACE. 





resolution was modified, and the whole of the printing was carried on at the 
University Press, Oxford. : 

The London Committee, to which the Revision of the Authorised Version of 
the Book of Ecclesiasticus was intrusted, commenced their labours on May 11, 
1881, and completed their first revision of the Version on July 20, 1882, and their 
second and final revision on May 25, 1888. The breaking up of the text of the 
Version into parallelisms was undertaken at a later period. Of the members of 
the Committee, two, the Bishops of Salisbury and St. Andrews, found themselves 
unable through age and distance from London to attend the meetings. The 
attendance of the remainder was such that there were rarely less than four 
present. Whenever the number fell below this, all debateable points were 
reserved for fuller meetings. Considerable attention was paid to the text; but 
the materials available for correcting it were but scanty. In regard to the 
revision of the Version, especial care was taken to preserve the general tone of 
the Authorised Version, and to maintain the somewhat greater freedom of ren- 
dering which characterizes the translation of the Apocrypha when compared with 
the translation of the Old or of the New Testament. 

The Westminster Committee completed their first revision of the First Book 
of Maccabees on July 5, their second revision on November 3, 1881. Their first 
revision of the Books of Judith and Tobit was completed on July 6, their second 
revision on October 11, 1882. With regard to the Greek text they derived great 
assistance from Dr. Scrivener, but the number of places in which it was thought 
right to abandon readings that seemed to be represented in the Authorised Ver- 
sion was not large. The English Version was found to require much care. In 
the First Book of Maccabees, for example, a well-known peculiarity of the writer 
had been obliterated by the repeated introduction, with or without the use of 
italics, of the words ‘God’ and ‘the Lord,’ which never occur in the best Greek 
text. Archbishop Trench worked with the Committee until they were close to 
the end of the First Book of Maccabees. Dean Stanley also attended up to 
about the same time: Principal Brown did not take any part in the work. 

Of the members of the Cambridge Committee the Bishop of Durham (Dr. 
Lightfoot), the Dean of Lincoln (Mr. Blakesley), and Professor Kennedy were 
compelled for various reasons to withdraw from the work of revision. Dr. 
Roberts supplied notes on various parts of the two books. Dr. Hort, Dr. Moul- 
ton and Dr. Westcott conducted the revision with this assistance at weekly meet- 
ings during term time from March 3, 1881 to the spring of 1890, when Dr. 
Westcott was removed to Durham. In the remainder of the work Dr. Westcott 
took part by correspondence. The first revision of 2 Maccabees was completed 
on May 20, 1885, and the final revision December 7, 1889. The first revision of 
Wisdom was completed between May 20, 1885 and June 20, 1888; and the sec- 
ond revision between November 23, 1889 and November 21, 1891. The singular 
difficulty and importance of the Book of Wisdom led the revisers to review the 
version a third time. The whole revision of the two books was substantially 
completed before the summer of 1892. .A few questions were reserved for later 
decision. ‘These were considered by Dr. Hort in the summer of that year, and, 
with the help of his notes, finally determined by Dr. Westcott and Dr. Moulton. 

After the revision of the Old Testament had been completed the Old Testa- 
ment Company (July 9, 1884) passed the following resolution : — 

‘That the Dean of Peterborough (Dr. Perowne), Professor Lumby, Professor 
Robertson Smith, Mr. Bensly, Mr. Cheyne, and the Secretary (Mr. Aldis 
Wright) be a Committee to translate the remaining books of the Apocrypha, 
and 

That Dr. Field be invited to assist in the formation of the text.’ 

The Dean of Peterborough (Dr. Perowne), now Bishop of Worcester, and 
Mr. (now Professor) Cheyne, found themselves unable to take part in the work, 
and the Committee were deprived of the assistance of Dr. Field by his death in 
April, 1885. 














PREFACE. ix 





The Books of the Apocrypha which were left for them to revise were 1 and 2 
Esdras, the additions to Esther, Baruch, the Song of the Three Holy Children, 
the History of Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, and the Prayer of Manasses. 

For the text of these portions, with the exception of 2 Esdras, they were 
entirely dependent upon the inadequate materials already existing, and did not 
therefore attempt any complete revision. But as the late Professor Bensly had 
reconstructed the text of the Latin version of 2 Esdras from a full collation of 
all the independent MSS. at present known, the Committee fully availed them- 
selves of the results which he generously placed at their disposal. They were 
thus able to incorporate the missing fragment, vii. 36-105, which was edited by 
Professor Bensly with elaborate care, and published by the Cambridge University 
Press (1875), and to make use of many improved readings which he proposed to 
adopt in his critical edition. It is satisfactory to know that this work has been 
left in a sufficiently forward state to admit of its being easily completed. 

In regard to the language of the Revised Version the Committee followed the 
general principles which were observed by the Old Testament Revision Company. 

In the case of Proper Names it has not been found possible to secure uni- 
formity of plan in the work of the four Committees. In some Books these names 
appear in their familiar Old Testament forms, after the Hebrew ; whilst in others, 
the forms of the Authorised Version are usually retained, or are but slightly 
altered, in accordance with the Greek. Lists of the Greek readings —or, in 2 
Esdras, the Latin readings—adopted by the Committees will shortly be pub- 
lished. : 

Such is a brief account of the circumstances under which the present work 
was executed. The Revisers conclude with the hope and the belief that it will 
be found helpful to the student, and acceptable to the general reader of the 
Apocrypha. 


January, 1895. 








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I. ESDRAS. 


1 AND ‘Josias held the passover in 
Jerusalem unto his Lord, and offered 
the passover the fourteenth day of the 

2 first month; having set the priests 
according to their daily courses, be- 
ing arrayed in their vestments, in the 

83temple of the Lord. And he spake 
unto the Levites, ? the temple-servants 
of Israel, that they should hallow 
themselves unto the Lord, to set the 
holy ark of the Lord in the house that 
king Solomon the son of David had 

4 built: and said, Ye shall no more 
have need to bear it upon your shoul- 
ders: now therefore serve the Lord 
your God, and minister unto his peo- 
ple Israel, and prepare you after your 

5 fathers’ houses and kindreds, accord- 
ing to the writing of David king of 
Israel, and according to the magnifi- 
cence of Solomon his son: and stand- 
ing in the holy place according to the 
several divisions of the families of 
you the Levites, who minister in the 
presence of your brethren the children 

6 of Israel, offer the passover in order, 
and make ready the sacrifices for 
your brethren, and keep the passover 
according to the commandment of 
the Lord, which was given unto Mo- 

7 ses. And unto the people which were 
present Josias gave thirty thousand 
lambs and kids, and three thousand 
ealves: these things were given of 
the king’s substance, according as he 
promised, to the people, and to the 

8 priests and Levites. And Helkias, and 
Zacharias, and* Esyelus, the rulers of 
the temple, gave to the priests for the 
passover two thousand and six hun- 
dred sheep, and three hundred calves. 

9 And Jeconias, and Samaias, and Na- 
thanael his brother, and Sabias, and 
Ochielus, and Joram, captains over 
thousands, gave to the evites for the 
passover five thousand sheep, and 

10seven hundred calves. And when 
these things were done, the priests 
and Levites, having the unleavened 
bread, stood in comely order accord- 
1ling to the kindreds, and according 
to the several divisions by fathers’ 
houses, before the people, to offer to 
the Lord, as it is written in the book 
of Moses: and thus did they in the 
12 morning. And they roasted the pass- 
over with fire,as appertaineth: and 
the sacrifices they sod in the brasen 
vessels and caldrons with a good sa- 
13 your, and set them before all the peo- 
ple: and afterward they prepared for 
themselves, and for the priests their 





1 


14 brethren, the sons of Aaron. For the 
priests offered the fat until night: 
and the Levites prepared for them- 
selves, and for the priests their bre- 

15 thren, the sons of Aaron. The holy 
singers also, the sons of Asaph, were 
in their order, according to the ap- 
pointment of David, to wit, Asaph, 
Zacharias, and Eddinus, who * was 

16 of the king’s retinue. Moreover the 
porters were at every gate ; none had 
need to depart from his daily course: 
for their brethren the Levites pre- 

17 pared for them. Thus were the things 
that belonged to the sacrifices of the 
Lord accomplished in that day, in 

18 holding the passover, and offering 
sacrifices upon the altar of the Lord, 
according to the commandment of 

19 king Josias. So the children of Is- 
rael which were present at that time 
held the passover, and the feast of 

20 unleavened bread seven days. And 
such a passover was not held in Israel 
since the time of the prophet Samuel. 

21 Yea, all the kings of Israel held not 
such a passover as Josias, and the 
priests, and the Levites, and the Jews, 
held with all Israel that were present 
in their dwelling place at Jerusalem. 

22 In the eighteenth year of the reign of 

23 Josias was this passover held. And 
the works of Josias were upright be- 
fore his Lord with a heart full of 

24 godliness. Moreover the things that 
came to pass in his days have been 
written in times past, concerning those 
that sinned, and did wickedly against 
the Lord above every people and king- 
dom, and how they grieved him * ex- 
ceedingly, so that the words of the 
Lord were confirmed against Israel. 

25 ®Now after all these acts of Josias 
it came to pass, that Pharaoh the king 
of Egypt came to raise war at Careche- 
mish upon Euphrates: and Josias 

26 went out against him. But the king 
of Egypt sent to him, saying, What 
have I to do with thee, O king of Ju- 

27 dza? I am not sent out from the 
Lord God against thee; for my war 
is upon Euphrates: and now the Lord 
is with me, yea, the Lord is with me 
hasting me forward: depart from me, 

28 and be not against the Lord. How- 
beit Josias did not turn back 7 unto 
his chariot, but undertook to fight 
with him, not regarding the words of 
the prophet Jeremy spoken by the 

29 mouth of the Lord: but joined battle 
with him in the plain of Megiddo, and 
the princes came down against king 

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R47: eS ESDRAS. 2. % 
30 J alae: “Then cava tne Sie SBR his “4B And after that king Nabuchodonosor 
servants, Carry me away out of the had made him to swear by the name 
battle; for Iam very weak. And im- of the Lord, he forswore himself, and 
mediately his servants carried him rebelled; and hardening his neck, and 
31 away out of the host. Then gathe up his heart, he transgressed the laws of 
upon his second chariot; and being | 49the Lord, the God of Israel. More- 
brought back to Jerusalem he died, over the governors of the people and 
and was buried in the sepulchre of of the priests did many things wick- 
32his fathers. And in all Jewry they edly, “and passed all the pollutions | * An- 
mourned for Josias; and Jeremy the of all nations, and defiled the temple anise 
prophet lamented for Josias, and the of the Lord, which was sanctified in poe aie 
chief men with the women made la- | 50 Jerusalem. And the God of their fa- eal. 
mentation for him, unto this day: and thers sent by his messenger to call 
this was given out for an ordinance to them back, because he had compas- 
be done continually in all the nation of sion on themand on his dwelling place. 
33 Israel. These things are written in| 51 But they mocked his messengers; 
the book of the histories of the kings and in the day when the Lord spake 
of Juda, and every one of the acts unto them, they scoffed at his pro- 
that Josias did, and his glory, and his | 52 phets: so far forth, that he, being 
understanding in the law of the Lord, wroth with his people for their great 
and the things that he had done be- ungodliness, commanded to bring up 
fore, and the things now recited, are the kings of the Chaldeans against |_ 
reported in the book of the kings of | 53 them; who slew their young men with 
Israel and Judah. the sword, round about their holy 
12Kings | 34 1 And the people took ? Joachaz the temple, and spared neither young 
2 al son of Josias, and made him king in- man nor maid, old man nor child; but 
Xxxvi. 1 stead of Josias his father, when he was | 54 he delivered all into their hands. And 
2 ae 35 twenty and three years old. And he they took all the holy vessels of the 
2 reigned in * Judah and in Jerusalem Lord, both great and small, with 7 the | 7 An- 
is, Jeco- three months: and then the king of | vessels of the ark of the Lord, and the | feading 
“Na Egypt deposed him from reigning in king’s treasures, and carried them | is, the 
Rap 36 Jerusalem. And he set a tax upon the | 55 away unto Babylon. And they burnt phy A 
reading people of a hundred talents of silver the house of the Lord, and brake down 
is, Israel. | 37 and one talent of gold. The king of the walls of Jerusalem, and burnt the 
Egypt also made king Joakim his bro- | 56 towers thereof with fire: and as for , 
ther king of Judea and Jerusalem. her glorious things, they never ceased 
38 And Joakim bound the nobles: but till they had brought them all to 
Zarakes his brother he apprehended, nought: and the people that were 
and brought him up out of Egypt. not slain with the sword he carried 
42Chr. | 39 Five and twenty years old was * Joa-| 57 unto Babylon: and they were ser- 
rai kim when he began to reign in Judza yants unto him and to his children, 
nes and Jerusalem; and he did that which till the Persians reigned, to fulfil the 
40 was evil in the sight of the Lord. And word of the Lord by the mouth of 
against him Nabuchodonosor the king | 58 Jeremy: Until the land hath enjoyed 
of Babylon came up, and bound him her sabbaths, the whole time of her 
with a chain of brass, and carried him desolation shall she keep sabbath, to 
41 unto Babylon. Nabuchodonosor also fulfil threescore and ten years. 
took of the holy vessels of the Lord,| 2 Inthe * first year of Cyrus king of the | * 2 Chr. 
and carried them away, and set them Persians, that the word of the Lord 2 8 
42 up in his own temple at Babylon. But by the mouth of Jeremy might be ac- Ezra i Lt 
those things that are reported of him,| 2complished, the Lord stirred up the 
and of hisuncleanness and impiety,are spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians, 
written in the chronicles of the kings. and he made proclamation through 
43 And Joakim his son reigned in his all his kingdom, and also by writing, 
stead: for when he was made king | 3saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of the 
5 An- 44he was eighteen years old; and he Persians; The Lord of Israel, the} 
onthe reigned three months and ten days in Most High Lord, hath made me king 
is, eight. Jerusalem; and did that which was| 4 of the whole world, and commanded 
evil before the Lord. me to build him a house at Jerusalem 
45 Soaftera year Nabuchodonosor sent | 5 that isin Judea. If therefore there 
and caused him to be brought unto be any of you that are of his people, 
Babylon with the holy vessels of the ®let the Lord, even his Lord, be with “ao 
46 Lord; and made Sedekias king of Ju- him, and let him go up to J erusalem et 3 
dea and Jerusalem, when he was one | ~ that is in Judea, and build the house | is, = is 





and twenty years old; and he reigned 
47 eleven years: and he also did that 
which was evil in the sight of the 
Lord, and cared not for the words 
that were spoken by Jeremy the pro- 
phet from the mouth of the Lord. 





2 


of the Lord of Israel: he is the Lord 
6 that dwelleth in Jerusalem. Of such 
therefore as dwell in divers places, 
let them that are in his own place 
help each one with gold, and with sil- 
7 ver, with gifts, with horses also and 














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2;: 22. 


J. ESDRAS. 








5 Or, re- 
corder 





cattle, beside the other things which 
have been added by vow for the tem- 
ple of the Lord which is in Jerusalem. 
8 Then the chief of the families of 
Judah and of the tribe of Benjamin 
stood up; the priests also, and the 
Levites, and all they whose spirit the 
Lord had stirred to go up, to build 
the house for the Lord which is in 
9 Jerusalem. And they that dweltround 
about them helped them in all things 
with silver and gold, with horses and 
cattle, and with very many gifts that 
were vowed of a great number whose 
10 minds were stirred up thereto. King 
Cyrus also brought forth the holy 
vessels of the Lord, which Nabucho- 
donosor had carried away from Jeru- 
salem, and had set up in his temple of 
1lidols. Now when Cyrus king of the 
Persians had brought them forth, he 
delivered them to Mithradates his 


| 12 treasurer, and by him they were de- 


livered to 1Sanabassar the governor 

13 of Judzea. And this was the number of 
them: A thousand golden cups, a thou- 
sand cups of silver, censers of silver 
twenty nine, vials of gold thirty, and 
of silver two thousand four hundred 
and ten, and other vessels a thousand. 

14 So all the vessels of gold and of silver 
were brought up, even five thousand 

15 four hundred threescore and nine, and 
were carried back by Sanabassar, to- 
gether with them of the captivity, 
from Babylon to Jerusalem. 

16 ? But in the time of Artaxerxes king 
of the Persians Belemus, and Mithra- 
dates, and Tabellius, and * Rathumus, 
and Beeltethmus, and * Samellius the 
scribe, with the others that were in 
commission with them, dwelling in 
Samaria and other places, wrote unto 
him against them that dwelt in Judzea 
and Jerusalem the letter following: 

17 To king Artaxerxes our lord, Thy 
servants, Rathumus the ° storywriter, 
and Samellius the seribe, and the rest 
of their council, and the judges that 

18 are in Coelesyria and Phoenicia. Be 
it now known to our lord the king, 
that the Jews that are come up from 
you to us, being come unto Jerusalem, 
do build that rebellious and wicked 
city, and do repair the marketplaces 
and the walls of it, and do lay the 

19 foundation of a temple. Now if this 
city be builded and the walls thereof 
be finished, they will not only refuse 
to give tribute, but will even stand up 

20 against kings. And forasmuch as the 
things pertaining to the temple are 
now in hand, we think it meet not to 

21 neglect such a matter, but to speak 
unto our lord the king, to the intent 
that, if it be thy pleasure, search may 
be made in the books of thy fathers: 

22 and thou shalt find in the chronicles 
what is written concerning these 
things, and shalt understand that that 





city was rebellious, troubling both 

23 kings and cities: and that the Jews 
were rebellious, and raised always 
wars therein of old time; for the 
which cause even this city was laid 

24 waste. Wherefore now we do declare 
unto thee, O lord the king, that if this 
city be builded again, and the walls 
thereof set up anew, thou shalt from 
henceforth have no passage into Coele- 

25 syria and Pheenicia. Then the king 
wrote back again to Rathumus the 
storywriter, and Beeltethmus, and 
Samellius the scribe, and to the rest 
that were in commission, and dwelt 
in Samaria and Syria and Pheenicia, 

26 after this manner: I have read the 
epistle which ye have sent unto me: 
therefore lcommandedtomake search, 
and it hath been found that that city 
of old time hath made insurrection 

27 against kings; and the men were 
given to rebellion and war therein: 
and that mighty kings and fierce were 
in Jerusalem, whoreigned andexacted 
tribute in Coelesyria and Pheenicia. 

28 Now therefore I have commanded 
to hinder those men from building 
the city, and heed to be taken that 
there be nothing done contrary to 

29this order; and that those wicked 
doings proceed no further to the an- 

30 noyance of kings. Then king Artax- 
erxes his letters being read, Ra- 
thumus, and Samellius the scribe, and 
the rest that were in commission 
with them, removing in haste unto 
Jerusalem with horsemen and a multi- 
tude of people in battle array, began 
to hinder the builders ; and the build- 
ing of the temple in Jerusalem ceased 
until the second year of the reign of 
Darius king of the Persians. 

8 Now king Darius made a great feast 
unto all his subjects, and unto all that 
were born in his house, and unto all 
the princes of Media and of Persia, 

2 and toall the satraps and captains and 
governors that were under him, from 
India unto Ethiopia, in the hundred 

8twenty and seven provinces. And 
when they had eaten and drunken, and 
being satisfied were gone home, then 
Darius the king went into his bed- 
chamber, and slept, and awaked out of 
his sleep. 

4 Then the three young men of the 
body-guard, that kept the king’s per- 

5 son, spake one to another: Let every 
one of us say one thing which shall be 
strongest: and he whosesentence shall 
seem wiser than the others, unto him 
shall Darius the king give great gifts, 
and great honours in token of victory: 

6as, to be clothed in purple, to drink 
in gold, and to sleep upon gold, and 
a chariot with bridles of gold, and a 
headtire of fine linen, anda chain about 

This neck: and he shall sit next to 

Darius because of his wisdom, and 














I. ESDRAS. 


4, 27. 











8 shall be called Darius his cousin. And 
then they wrote every one his sen- 
tence, and set to their seals, and laid 
the writing under king Darius his pil- 

9 low, and said, When the king is risen, 
some shall give him the writing; and 
of whose side the king and the three 
princes of Persia shall judge that his 
sentence is the wisest, to him shall the 

10 victory be given, as itis written. The 
11 first wrote, Wine is the strongest. The 
second wrote, The king is strongest. 
12 The third wrote, Women are strong- 
est: but above all things Truth bear- 
eth away the victory. 
13 Now when the king was risen up, 
they took the writing, and gave it unto 
14 him, and so he read it: and sending 
forth he called all the princes of Per- 
sia and of Media, and the satraps, and 
the captains, and the governors, and 
15 the chief officers ; and sat him down in 
the royal seat of judgement; and the 
16 writing was read before them. And 
he said, Call the young men, and they 
shall explain their own sentences. So 
17 they were called, and came in. . And 
they said unto them, Declare unto us 
your mind concerning the things ye 
have written. 
Then began the first, who had spoken 


18 of the strength of wine, and said thus,,. 


O sirs, how exceeding strong is wine! 
it causeth all men to err that drink it: 
19 it maketh the mind of the king and of 
the fatherless child to be all one; of 
the bondman and of the freeman, of 
20 the poor man and of the rich: it turn- 
eth also every thought into jollity and 
mirth, so that a man remembereth 
21 neither sorrow nor debt: and it mak- 
eth every heart rich, so that a man re- 
membereth neither king nor satrap; 
and it maketh to speak all things by 
22 talents: and when they are in their 
cups, they forget their love both to 
friends and brethren, and a little after 
23 draw their swords: but when they 
awake from their wine, they remem- 
24 ber not what they have done. O sirs, 
is not. wine the strongest, seeing that 
it enforceth todo thus? And when he 
had so spoken, he held his peace. 
4 Then the second, that had spoken of 
the strength of the king, began to say, 
2 O sirs, do not men excel in strength, 
that bear rule over the sea and land, 
sandallthingsinthem? But yetis the 
king stronger: and he is their lord, and 
hath dominion over them; and in what- 
soever he commandeth them they 
4 obey him. If he bid them make war 
the one against the other, they do it: 
and if he send them out against the 
enemies, they go, and overcome moun- 
5 tains, walls, and towers. They slay 
and are slain, and transgress not the 
king’s commandment: if they get the 
victory, they bring all to the king, as 
6 well the spoil, as all things else. Like- 


wise for those that are no soldiers, and 
have not to do with wars, but use hus- 
bandry, when they have reaped again 
that which they had sown, they bring 
it to the king, and compel one another 
7 to pay tribute unto the king. And he 
istbut one man: if he command to 
kill, they kill; if he command to spare, 
8 they spare; if he command to smite, 
they smite; if he command to make 
desolate, they make desolate; if he 
9command to build, they build; if he 
command to cut down, they cut down ; 
if he command to plant, they plant. 
10 So all his people and his armies obey 
him: furthermore he lieth down, he 
eateth and drinketh, and taketh his 
llrest: and these keep watch round 
about him, neither may any one de- 
part, and do his own business, neither 
12 disobey they him in anything. O sirs, 
how should not the king be strongest, 
seeing that in such sort he is obeyed? 
And he held his peace. 
13 Then the third, who had spoken of 
women, and of truth, (this was Zoro- 
14 babel) began to speak. O sirs, is not 
the king great, and men are many, and 
wine is strong? who is it then that 
ruleth them, or hath the lordship over 
15 them? are they not women? Women 
have borne the king and all the people 
16 that bear rule by sea and land. Even 
of them came they: and they nour- 
ished them up that planted the vine- 
yards, from whence the wine cometh. 
17 These also make garments for men; 
these bring glory unto men; and with- 
18 out women cannot men be. Yea,and 
if men have gathered together gold 
and silver and every other goodly 
thing, 2and see a woman which is 
19 comely in favour and beauty, they let 
all those things go, and gape after her, 
and even with open mouth fix their 
eyes fast on her; and have all more 
desire unto her than unto gold or sil- 
ver, or any goodly thing whatsoever. 
20 A man leaveth his own father that 
brought him up, and his own country, 
21 and cleaveth unto his wife. And with 
his wife he endeth his days, and re- 
membereth neither father, nor mo- 
22ther, nor country. By this also ye 
must know that women have domin- 
ion over you: do ye not labour and 
toil, and give and bring all to women? 
23 Yea, a man taketh his sword, and go- 
eth forth to make outroads, and to rob 
and to steal, and to sail upon the sea 
24and upon rivers; and looketh upon 
a lion, and walketh in the darkness; 
and when he hath stolen, spoiled, and 
robbed, he bringeth it to his love. 
25 Wherefore a man loveth his wife bet- 
26 ter than father or mother. Yea,many 
there be that have run out of their 
wits for women, and become bondmen 
27 for their sakes. Many also have per- 
ished, have stumbled, and sinned, for 





4 

















A 45. 


I. ESDRAS. 





a 





28 women. And now do ye not-believe 
me? is not the king great in his 
power? do not all regions fear to 

29touch him? Yet did I see him and 
Apame the king’s concubine, the 
daughter of the illustrious Bartacus, 
sitting at the right hand of the king, 


30 and taking the crown from the king’s 


head, and setting it upon her own 
head; yea, she struck the king with 
3iher left hand: and therewithal the 
king gaped and gazed upon her with 
open mouth : if she laughed upon him, 
he laughed also: but if she took any 
displeasure at him, he was fain to flat- 
ter, that she might be reconciled to 
32 him again. O sirs, how can it be but 
women should be strong, seeing they 
do thus? 
33 Then the king and the nobles looked 
‘one upon another: so he began to 
34 speak concerning truth. O sirs, are 
not women strong? greatis the earth, 
high is the heaven, swift is the sun 
in his course, for he compasseth the 
heavens round about, and fetcheth his 
course again to his own place in one 
35 day. Is he not great that maketh 
these things? therefore great is truth, 
36 and stronger than all things. All the 
earth calleth upon truth, and the 
heaven blesseth her: all works shake 
and tremble, but with ther is no un- 
37 righteous thing. Wine is unrighteous, 
the king is unrighteous, women are 
unrighteous, all the children of men 
are unrighteous, and unrighteous are 
all such their works: and there is no 
truth in them; in their unrighteous- 
38 ness also they shall perish. Buttruth 
abideth, and is strong for ever; she 
liveth and conquereth for, evermore. 
39 With her there is no accepting of 
persons or rewards ; but she doeth the 
things that are just, and refraineth 
from all unrighteous and wicked 
things; andall men do well like of her 
40 works. Neither in her judgement is 
any unrighteousness; and she is the 
strength, and the kingdom, and the 
power, and the majesty, of all ages. 
41 Blessed be the God of truth. And with 
that he held his tongue. And all the 
people then shouted, and said, Great 
is truth, and strong above all things. 
42 Then said the king unto him, Ask 
what thou wilt more than is appointed 
in writing, and we will give it thee, 
inasmuch as thou art found wisest; 
and thou shalt sit next me, and shalt 
43 be called my cousin. Then said he 
unto the king, Remember thy vow, 
which thou didst vow to build Jerusa- 
lem, in the day when thou camest to 
44thy kingdom, and to send away all 
the vessels that were taken out of 
Jerusalem, which Cyrus set apart, 
when he vowed to destroy Babylon, 
and vowed to send them again thither. 
45 Thou didst also vow to build up the 


temple, which the Edomites burned 
when Judz#a was made desolate by 

46 the Chaldeans. And now, O lord the 
king, this is that which I require, and 
which I desire of thee, and this is the 
princely liberality that shall proceed 
from thee: I pray therefore that thou 
make good the vow, the performance 
whereof thou hast vowed to the King 
of heaven with thine own mouth. 

47 Then Darius the king stood up, and 
kissed him, and wrote letters for him 
unto all the treasurers and governors 
and captains and satraps, that they 
should safely bring on their way both 
him, and all those that should go up 

48 with him to build Jerusalem. He 
wrote letters also unto all the gover- 
nors that were in Coelesyria and Phe- 
nicia, and unto them in Libanus, that 
they should bring cedar wood from 
Libanus unto Jerusalem, and that 
they should build the city with him. 

49 Moreover he wrote for all the Jews 
that should go out of his realm up into 
Jewry, concerning their freedom, that 
no officer, no governor, no satrap, nor 
treasurer, should forcibly enter into 

50 their doors; and that all the country 
which they occupied should be free to 
them without tribute; and that the 
Edomites should give over’ the vil- 
lages of the Jews which then they 

51 held: and that there should be yearly 
given twenty talents to the building 
of the temple, until the time that it 

52 were built; and other ten talents 
yearly, for burnt offerings to be pre- 
sented upon the altar every day, as 
they had a commandment to offer 

53 seventeen: and that all they that 
should come from Babylonia to build 
the city should have their freedom, as 
well they as their posterity, and all 

54 the priests that came. He wrote also 
to give them their charges, and the 
priests’ vestments wherein they min- 

55 ister; and for the Levites he wrote 
that their charges should be given 
them until the day that the house 
were finished, and Jerusalem builded 

56up. And he commanded to give to 
all that kept the city lands and wages. 

57 He sent away also all the vessels 
from Babylon, that Cyrus had set 
apart; and all that Cyrus had given 
in commandment, the same charged 
he also to be done, and sent unto 
Jerusalem. 

58 Now when this young man was gone 
forth, he lifted up his face to heaven 
toward Jerusalem, and praised the 

59 King of heaven, and said, From thee 
cometh victory, from thee cometh 
wisdom, and thine is the glory, and 

60 I am thy servant. Blessed art thou, 
who hast given me wisdom: and to 
thee I give thanks, O Lord of our 

61 fathers. And so he took the letters, 
and went out, and eame unto Babylon, 





5 




















B15. I. ESDRAS. 5. 32. 

62 and told it all his brethren. And they | 16 four hundred thirty and two: the sons | 19 An- 
praised the God of their fathers, be- of Annis, a hundred and one: the ae 
cause he had given them freedom and sons of Arom: the sons of * Bassai, | ing is, 

63 liberty to go up, and to build Jerusa- three hundred twenty and three: the le 
lem, and the temple which is called by sons of Arsiphurith, a hundred and bi —_ 
his name: and they feasted with in-| 17 twelve: the sons of Baiterus, three | jepem. 
struments of music and gladness thousand and five: the sons of 74 Beth- | 22 4zma- 
seven days. lomon, a hundred twenty and three: } vet. 

5 After this were the chiefs of fathers’ | 18 they of Netophas, fifty and five : they | 7,4? 
houses chosen to go up according .to of Anathoth, a hundred fifty and | arim, or 
their tribes, with their wives and sons eight: they of ?* Bethasmoth, forty and pels mag 
and daughters, with their menser-| 19 two: they of * Kariathiarius, twenty a Re 
vants and maidservants, and their and five: they of Caphira and Beroth, | mah. 

2cattle. And Darius sent with them | 20 seven hundred forty and three: the | 25 @eba.— 
a thousand horsemen, till they had Chadiasai and Ammidioi, four hun- | 7° J“ 
brought them back to Jerusalem dred twenty and two: they of * Kira-| 27 peth- 

1 Gr. 1 safely, and with musical instruments, ma and * Gabbe, six hundred twenty | el. 

wed 3 tabrets and flutes. And all their bre-| 21and one: they of ** Macalon, a hun- | 75 Mas- 
thren played, and he made them go dred twenty and two: they of ?7 Beto-| ,, Lod 
up together with them. lion, fifty and two: the sons of *° Ni-| Hadid’ 

4 And these are the names of the men | 22 phis, a hundred fifty and six : the sons | 3° Ono. 
which went up, according to their fam- of * Calamolalus and *° Onus, seven | 1 Je 
ilies amongst their tribes, after their hundred twenty and five: the sons of | 5, 4) 

5 several divisions. The priests, the 31 Jerechu, * three hundred forty and } other 
sons of Phinees, the sons of Aaron:| 23 five: the sons of * Sanaas, three ayn 
Jesus the son of Josedek, the son of thousand three hundred and * thirty. | 33s. 
Saraias, and Joakim the son of Zoro- | 24 The priests: the sons of * Jeddu, the | naah. 
babel, the son of Salathiel, of the son of Jesus, among the sons of Sana- | 34 An- 
house of David, of the lineage of sib, **nine hundred seventy and two: oy Sa 

6 Phares, of the tribe of Judah; who the sons of ?7 Emmeruth, ** a thousand } is, one. 
spake wise sentences before Darius | 25 fifty and two: the sons of *® Phassurus, | 35 Jeda- 
the king of Persia in the second year a thousand two hundred forty and se- ne 
of his reign, in the month Nisan, which ven: the sons of Charme, ** a thou-| other — 

2Ezraii.| Tis the first month. *And these are | 26 sand and seventeen. The Levites: | reading 

1, &¢. they of Jewry that came up from the|. the sons of Jesus,and Kadmiel, and | * 47!" 
captivity, where they dwelt as stran- Bannas, and Sudias, seventy and four. | mer. 
gers, whom Nabuchodonosor the king | 27 The holy singers: the sons of Asaph, | 38 An- 
of Babylon had carried away unto | 28a hundred “ twenty and eight. The peo + 

8 Babylon. And they returned unto porters : the sons of #7 Salum, the sons | is, two 
Jerusalem, and to the other parts of of * Atar, the sons of Tolman, the neat 
Jewry, every man to his own city, sons of ## Dacubi, the sons of * Ateta, | 39 pasy- 

Sen who came with Zorobabel, with Jesus, the sons of “ Sabi, in all a hundred | hur. 
tah. Nehemias, and *Zaraias, Resaias, | 29 thirty and nine. The temple-servants: | #9 Ha- 
4 Or, 4Eneneus, Mardocheus, Beelsarus, the sons of “ Esau, the sons of # Asi-| 77"\,. 
pes 5 Aspharasus, ® Reelias, Roimus, and pha, the sons of Tabaoth, the sons of | other 
x Resa 9 Baana, their leaders. The number of 49 Keras, the sons of ® Sua, the sons of ae 
jah. | them of the nation, and their leaders: 51 Phaleas, the sons of Labana, the | ,3 Shot. 
7 Parosh. the sons of 7 Phoros, two thousand a | 30 sons of * Aggaba, the sons of # Acud, | Zum. 
be at hundred seventy and two: the sons of the sons of Uta, the sons of Ketab, the | 43 Ater. 
ae ' 8Saphat, four hundred seventy and sons of  Accaba, the sons of * Subai, | #4 44 
10 Pg. | 10 two: the sons of ® Ares, seven hundred the sons of ® Anan, the sons of °° Ca-| 45 j4 
hath- 11 fifty and six: the sons of 1° Phaath | 31 thua, the sons of * Geddur, the sous | tita. 
spe Moab, of the sons of Jesus and Joab, of ** Jairus, the sons of ® Daisan, the | 4¢ Sho- 
a Hee two thousand eight hundred and sons of © Noeba, the sons of Chaseba, yee 
cai. 12 twelve: the sons of Elam, a thousand the sons of * Gazera, the sons of} 4. 74 
13 Az- two hundred fifty and four: the sons ® Ozias, the sons of ® Phinoe, the sons | supha. 
en of “ Zathui, nine hundred forty and of Asara, the sons of ™ Basthai, the | +9 Keros. 
nha five : the sons of  Chorbe, seven hun- sons of ® Asana, the sons of & Maani, | °°Staka. 
to other dred and five: the sons of Bani, six the sons of ® Naphisi, the sons of oa i 
inna 13 hundred forty and eight: the sons of 68 Acub, the sons of ® Achipha, the | 52 Haga- 
or Bebai, six hundred twenty and three : sons of 7 Asur, the sons of Pharakim, | bah. 
3222. the sons of *Astad, 14a thousand three | 32 the sons of ™ Basaloth, the sons of oP: 
tai” =| 14hundred twenty and two: the sons| 7” Meedda, the sons of Cutha, the sons | 1°30. 
16 Adin of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and of * Charea, the sons of 7 Barchus, | Jai. 
> Ater ische : the sons of x Bagoi, — thou- the sons of * Serar, the sons of 7° Tho- | 55 Ha- 
of ie- sand sixty and six: the sons of 1 Adinu, ’ , d sap 
cckiah- | 15 four hundred fifty and four: the sons | 6: Gusta. eS Uses. 02 Dana. ed Bont. ‘fee 
other of 17 Ater, of Ezekias, ninety and two: | 6¢ Meunim. 67 Nephisim. 68 Bakbuk. According to other 
feed, | the sons of Kilan and Azetas, three-| Jains dom, or dows. 00 Hakupha: 10 Harhur. 74 Bae 





score and seven: the sons of #8 Azaru, 








mah. 














I. ESDRAS. 


5. 61. 








mei, the sons of * Nasi, the sons of 

33 Atipha. The sons of the servants of 
Solomon: the sons of * Assaphioth, 
the sons of * Pharida, the sons of 
4 Jeeli, the sons of ° Lozon, the sons 
of © Isdael, the sons of 7 Saphuthi, 

34 the sons of * Agia, the sons of * Pha- 
careth, the sons of Sabie, the sons of 
Sarothie, the sons of 1° Masias, the 
sons of Gas, the sons of Addus, the 
sons of Subas, the sons of Apherra, 
the sons of Barodis, the sons of Sa- 

35 phat, the sons of Allon. All the tem- 

_ ple-servants, and the sons of the ser- 
yants of Solomon, were three hundred 

36 seventy and two. These, came up 
from ™ Thermeleth, and “ Thelersas, 
13 Charaathalan leading them, and 

37 Allar; and they could not shew their 
families, nor their stock, how they 

~-were of Israel: the sons of * Dalan 
the son of * Ban, the sons of * Neko- 

38 dan, six hundred fifty and two. And 
of the priests, they that usurped the 
office of the priesthood and were not 
found: the sons of * Obdia, the sons 
of #8 Akkos, the sons of Jaddus, who 
married Augia one of the daughters 

.of * Zorzelleus, and was called after 

39 his name. And when the description 
of the kindred of these men was 
sought in the register, and was not 
found, they were removed from exe- 

40 cuting the office of the priesthood : for 
unto them said Nehemias and Attha- 
rias, that they should not be partakers 
of the holy things, till there arose 
up a high priest wearing ® Urim and 
Thummim. So all they of Israel, 
from twelve years old and upward, 
beside menservants and womenser- 
vants, were in number forty and two 
thousand three hundred and sixty. 

42 Their menservants and handmaids 
were seven thousand three hundred 
thirty and seven: the minstrels and 
singers, two hundred forty and five : 

43four hundred thirty and five camels, 
seven * thousand thirty and six 
horses, two hundred forty and five 
mules, five thousand five hundred 
twenty and five beasts of burden. 

44 And certain of the chief men of their 
families, when they came to the tem- 
ple of God that is in Jerusalem, vow- 
ed to set up the house again in its 
own place according to their ability, 

45 and to give into the holy treasury of 
the works a thousand pounds of gold, 
five thousand of silver, and a hundred 

46 priestly vestments. And the priests 
and the Levites and they that were 
of the people dwelt in Jerusalem and 
the country ; the holy singers also and 
the porters and all Israel in their 
villages. 

47 But when the seventh month was at 
hand, and when the children of Israel 
were every man in his own place, they 
came all together with one consent 





7 


_into the broad place before the first 
48 porch which is toward the east. Then 
stood up Jesus the son of Josedek, 
and his brethren the priests, and Zoro- 
babel the son of Salathiel, and his 
brethren, and made ready the altar of 
49 the God of Israel, to offer burnt sac- 
rifices upon it, according as it is 
expressly commanded in the book of 
50 Moses the man of God. And certain 
were gathered unto them out of the 
other nations of the land, and they 
erected the altar upon its own place, 
because all the nations of the land 
were at enmity with them, and op- 
pressed them ; and they offered sacri- 
fices according to the time, and burnt 
offerings to the Lord both morning 
51land evening. Also they held the feast 
of tabernacles, as it is commanded in 
the law, and offered sacrifices daily, 
52 as was meet: and after that, the con- 
tinual oblations, and the sacrifices of 
the sabbaths, and of the new moons, 
and of all the consecrated feasts. 
53 And all they that had made any vow 
to God began to offer sacrifices to 
God from the new moon of the *? se- 
venth month, although the temple of 
54God was not yet built. And they 
gave money unto the masons and car- 
55 penters; and meat and drink, and 
ears unto them of Sidon and Tyre, 
that they should bring cedar trees 
from Libanus, and convey them in 
floats to the haven of Joppa, accord- 
ing to the commandment which was 
written for them by Cyrus king of the 
56 Persians. And in the second year 
after his coming to the temple of God 
at Jerusalem, in the second month, 
began Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, 
and Jesus the son of Josedek, and 
their brethren; and the priests the 
Levites, and all they that were come 
unto Jerusalem out of the captivity : 
57 and they laid the foundation of the 
temple of God on the new moon of the 
second month, in the second year 
after they were come to Jewry and 
58 Jerusalem. * And they appointed the 
Levites from twenty years old over 
the works of the Lord. Then stood up 
Jesus, and his sons and brethren, and 
Kadmiel his brother, and the sons of 
Jesus, Emadabun, and the sons of 
Joda the son of Iliadun, and their 
sons and brethren, all the Levites, 
with one accord setters forward of 
the business, labouring to advance the 
works in the house of God. So the 
builders builded the temple of the 
59 Lord. And the priests stood arrayed 
in their vestments with musical in- 
struments and trumpets, and the Le- 
yites the sons of Asaph with their 
60 cymbals, singing songs of thanksgiv- 
ing, and praising the Lord, after the 
61 order of David king of Israel. And 
they sang aloud, praising the Lord 


23 See 
Ezra iii. 
8, 9, &c. 

















I. ESDRAS. 


6. 21. 





1 Ezra 
iii. 12, 13. 


2 Ezra 
iv. 1, &c. 


5 Or, be- 
sieging 
them 


6 An- 
other 
readin: 
is, lead- 
ing the 
people 
astray 
in coun- 





in songs of thanksgiving, because his 
goodness and his glory are for ever in 

62 all Israel. And all the people sounded 
trumpets, and shouted with a loud 
voice, singing songs of thanksgiving 
unto the Lord for the rearing up of 

63 the house of the Lord. 14 Also of the 
priests the Levites, and of the heads 
of their families, the ancients who 
had seen the former house came to 
the building of this with lamentation 

64 and great weeping. But many with 
trumpets and joy shouted with loud 

65 voice, insomuch that the people heard 
not the trumpets for the weeping of 
the people: for the multitude sounded 
marvellously, so that it was heard 
afar off. 

66 2? Wherefore when the enemies of the 
tribe of Judah and Benjamin heard it, 
they came to know what that noise of 

67 trumpets should mean. And they 
perceived that they that were of the 
eaptivity did build the temple unto 

68the Lord, the God of Israel. So they 
went to Zorobabel and Jesus, and to 
the chief men of the families, and said 
unto them, We will build together 

69 with you. For we likewise, as ye, do 
obey your Lord, and do sacrifice unto 
him from the days of * Asbasareth the 
king of the Assyrians, who brought 

70 us hither. Then Zorobabel and Jesus 
and the chief men of the families of 
Israel said unto them, It is not *for 
you to build the house unto the Lord 

Tlour God. We ourselves alone will 
build unto the Lord of Israel, accord- 
ing as Cyrus the king of the Persians 

72 hath commanded us. But the heathen 
of the land lying heavy upon the in- 


habitants of Juda, and *holding 


them strait, hindered their building; 

73 and ° by their secret plots, and popu- 
lar persuasions and commotions, they 
hindered the finishing of the building 
all the time that king Cyrus lived: so 
they were hindered from building for 
the space of two years, until the 
reign of Darius. 

6 Now 7in the second year of the reign 
of Darius, Aggzeus and Zacharias the 
son of § Addo, the prophets, prophe- 
-sied unto the Jews in Jewry and Je- 
rusalem; in the name of the Lord, 
the God of Israel, prophesied they 

2unto them. Then stood up Zorobabel 
the son of Salathiel, and Jesus the 
son of Josedek, and began to build 
the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, 
the prophets of the Lord being with 
3 them, and helping them. *At the 
same time came unto them * Sisinnes 
the governor of Syria and Phoenicia, 
with ™Sathrabuzanes and his com- 
4panions, and said unto them, By 
whose appointment do ye build this 
house and this roof, and perform all 
the other things? and who are the 
builders that perform these things ? 


5 Nevertheless the elders of the Jews 
obtained favour, because the Lord 

6had visited the captivity; and they 
were not hindered from building, un- 
til such time as communication was 
made unto Darius concerning them, 
and his answer signified. 

7 The copy of the letter which Sisinnes, 
governor of Syria and Phoenicia, and 
Sathrabuzanes, with their compan- 
ions, the rulers in Syria and Phoeni- 
cia, wrote and sent unto Darius; To 

8 king Darius, greeting: Let all things 
be known unto our lord the king, that 
being come into the country of Judzea, 
and entered into the city of Jerusa- 
lem, we found in the city of Jerusa- 
lem the elders of the Jews that were 

9 of the captivity building a house unto 
the Lord, great and new, of hewn and 
costly stones, with timber laid in the 

10 walls. And those works are done 
with great speed, and the work goeth 
on prosperously in their hands, and 
with all glory and diligence is it ac- 

11 complished. Then asked we these el- 
ders, saying, By whose commandment 
build ye this house, and lay the foun- 

12 dations of these works? Therefore, 
to the intent that we might give know- 
ledge unto thee by writing who were 
the chief doers, we questioned them, 
and we required of them the names 

13 in writing of their principal men. So 
they gave us this answer, We are the 
servants of the Lord which made 

14 heaven and earth. And as for this 
house, it was builded many years ago 
by a king of Israel great and strong, 

15 and was finished. But when our fa- 
thers sinned against the Lord of Isra- 
el which is in heaven, and provoked 
him unto wrath, he gave them over 
into the hands of Nabuchodonosor 
king of Babylon, king of the Chalde- 

16 ans; and they pulled down the house, 
and burned it, and carried away the 

17 people captives unto Babylon. But 
in the first year that Cyrus reigned 
over the country of Babylon, king 
Cyrus wrote to build up this house. 

18 And the holy vessels of gold and of 
silver, that Nabuchodonosor had car- 
ried away out of the house at Jerusa- 
lem, and had set up in his own tem- 
ple, those Cyrus the king brought 
forth again out of the temple in Baby- 
lonia, and they were delivered to Zo- 
robabel and to 1Sanabassarus the 

19 governor, with commandment that he 
should carry away ?* all these vessels, 
and put them in the temple at Jeru- 
salem; and that the temple of the 
Lord should be built in its place. 

20 Then Sanabassarus, being come hi- 
ther, laid the foundations of the house 
of the Lord which is in Jerusalem; 
and from that time to this being still 
a building, it is not yet fully ended. 

21 Now therefore, if it seem good, O king, 





8 

















6. 34. 


TI. ESDRAS. 





1 Ezra 
vi. 1, &c. 


2 An- 
other 
reading 
is, place. 





let search be made among the royal 
archives of our lord the king that are 

22 in Babylon: and if it be found that the 
building of the house of the Lord 
which is in Jerusalem hath been done 
with the consent of king Cyrus, and it 
seem good unto our lord the king, let 
him signify unto us thereof. 

23 1Then commanded king Darius to 
seek among the archives that were laid 
up at Babylon: and so at Ecbatana 
the palace, which is in the country of 
Media, there was found a?roll wherein 

24 these things were recorded. In the 
first year of the reign of Cyrus king 
Cyrus commanded to build up the 
house of the Lord which is in Jerusa- 

; Iem, where they do sacrifice with con- 

25 tinual fire: whose height shall be sixty 
cubits, and the breadth sixty cubits, 
with three rows of hewn stones, and 
one row of new wood of that country ; 
and the expenses thereof to be given 

26 out of the house of king Cyrus: and 

that the holy vessels of the house of 
the Lord, both of gold and silver, that 
Nabuchodonosor took out of the house 
at Jerusalem, and carried away to Ba- 
bylon, should be restored to the house 
at Jerusalem, and be set in the place 

27 where they were before. Andalso he 
commanded that Sisinnes the gover- 
nor of Syria and Phoenicia, and Sathra- 
buzanes, and their companions, and 
those which were appointed rulers in 
Syria and Phoenicia, should be careful 
not to meddle with the place, but suf- 
fer Zorobabel, the servant of the Lord, 
and governor of Judza, and the elders 
of the Jews, to build that house of the 

28 Lord in its place. And I also docom- 
mand to have it built up whole again; 
and that they look diligently to help 
those that be of the captivity of Judza, 
till the house of the Lord be finished: 

29 and that out of the tribute of Ccele- 
syria and Phoenicia a portion be care- 
fully given these men for the sacrifices 
of the Lord, thatis, to Zorobabel the 
governor, for bullocks, and rams, and 

30 lambs; and also corn, salt, wine, and 
oil, and that continually every year 
without further question, according as 
the priests that be in Jerusalem shall 

31 signify to be daily spent: that drink 
offerings may be made to the Most 
High God for the king and for his 
children, and that they may pray for 

32 their lives. And that commandment 
be given that whosoever shall trans- 
gress, yea, or neglect anything * herein 
written, out of his own house shall a 
tree be taken, and he thereon be hang- 


ed, and all his goods seized for the |- 


33 king. The Lord therefore, whose name 
is there called upon, utterly destroy 
every king and nation, that shall 
stretch out his hand to hinder or en- 
damage that house of the Lord in 

34 Jerusalem. I Darius the king have 





9 


ordained that according unto these 
things it be done with diligence. 

'7 Then‘ Sisinnes the governor of Coele- 
syria and Phoenicia, and Sathrabu- 
zanes, with their companions, follow- 
ing the commandments of king Darius, 

2did very carefully oversee the holy 
works, assisting the elders of the Jews 
3 and rulers of the temple. And so the 
holy works prospered, while Aggzeus 
and Zacharias the prophets prophe- 
4sied. And they finished these things 
by the commandment of the Lord, the 
God of Israel, and with the consent of 
Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings 
5 of the Persians. And thus was * the 
house finished by the three and twen- 
tieth day of the month Adar, in the 
6 sixth year of king Darius. And the 
children of Israel, the priests, and the 
Levites, and the other that were of 
the captivity, that were added unto 
them, did according to the things 

7 written in the book of Moses. And to 
the dedication of the temple of the Lord 
they offered a hundred bullocks, two 
hundred rams, four hundred lambs; 

8 and twelve he-goats for the sin of all 
Israel, according to the number of the 
twelve ® princes of the tribes of Israel. 

9 The priests also and the Levites stood 
arrayed in their vestments, according 
to their kindreds, for the services of 
the Lord, the God of Israel, according 
to the book of Moses: and the porters 
at every gate. 

10 And the children of Israel that came 
out of the captivity held the passover 
the fourteenth day of the first month, 
when the priests and the Levites were 

11 sanctified together, 7 and all they that 
were of the captivity ; for they were 
sanctified. For the Levites were all 

12 sanctified together, and they offered 
the passover for all them of the cap- 
tivity, and for their brethren the 

13 priests, and for themselves. And the 
children of Israel that came out of the 
captivity did eat, even all they that 
had separated themselves from the 
abominations of the heathen of the 

14 land, and sought the Lord. And they 
kept the feast of unleavened bread 
seven days, making merry before the 

15 Lord, for that he had turned the 
counsel of the king of Assyria toward 
them, to strengthen their hands in the 
works of the Lord, the God of Israel. 

8 *And after these things, when Artax- 
erxes the king of the Persians reigned, 
eame Esdras the son of Azaraias, the 
son of Zechrias, the son of Helkias, the 

2 son of Salem, the son of Sadduk, the 
son of Ahitob, the son of Amarias, the 
son of Ozias, *the son of Memeroth, 


5 An- 
other 
reading 
is, the 
holy 
house. 


6 An- 
other 
reading 
is, tribes 
of Israel. 


7 An- 
other 
reading 
is, And 
they that 
were of 
the cap- 
tivity 
were not 


son O, 


the son of Zaraias, the son of Savias, | Meme- 


the son of Boceas, the son of Abisue, 
the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar, 
3 the son of Aaron the chief priest. This 


Esdras went up from Babylon, as be- | ; 


Bt 


























10 





8. 19. I. ESDRAS. 8. 38. 
ing a ready scribe in the law of Moses, Most High God shall send for, they 
that was given by the God of Israel. should give it him with all diligence, 
4 And the king did him honour: for he | 20to the sum of a hundred talents of 
found grace in his sight in all his re- silver, likewise also of wheat even to 
5 quests. There went up with him also a hundred 4 measures, and a hundred | ¢ Gr. 
certain of the children of Israel, and firkins of wine, and ° salt in abun- rs 
of the priests, and Levites, and holy | 21 dance. Letall things be performed a 
1 Thatis, singers, and porters, and 7 temple- after the law of God diligently unto | authori- 
3 Ne- 6 servants, unto Jerusalem, in the se- the Most High God, that wrath come Bote ag 
srapauas venth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, | not upon the kingdom of the king and | 22. The 
in the fifth month, this was the king’s | 22 his sons. I command you also, that | Common 
seventh year; for they went from no tax, nor any other imposition, be | is, pvied 
Babylon on the new moon of the first laid on any of the priests, or Levites, | ‘ings. 
month, and came to Jerusalem, ac- or holy singers, or porters, or temple- 
cording to the prosperous journey servants, or any that have employ- 
2 Some which the Lord gave them *for his ment in this temple, and that no man 
eerie 7sake. For Esdras had very great have authority to impose anything 
his sake. skill, so that he omitted nothing of | 23 upon them. And thou, Esdras, ac- 
the law and commandments of the cording to the wisdom of God ordain 
Lord, but taught all Israel the ordi- judges and justices, that they may 
nances and judgements. judge in all Syria and Phoenicia all 
8 Now the commission, which was those that know the law of thy God; 
written from Artaxerxes the king, and those that know it not thou shalt 
came to Esdras the priest and reader | 24 teach. And whosoever shall trans- 
of the law of the Lord, whereof this gress the law of thy God, and of the 
9 that followeth is a copy; King Artax- king, shall be punished diligently, 
erxes unto Esdras the priest and whether it be by death, or other pun- 
reader of the law of the Lord, greet- ishment, by penalty of money, or by 
10 ing: Having determined to deal gra- 6 imprisonment. 6 Or, | 
ciously, I have given order, that such | 25 Then said Esdras the scribe, Blessed | captivity 
of the nation of the Jews, and of the be the only Lord, the God of my 
oo priests and Levites, *and of those fathers, who hath put these things 
naline within our realm, as are willing and into the heart of the king, to glorify 
is, being desirous, should go with thee unto | 26 his house that is in Jerusalem: and 
within. 11 Jerusalem. As many therefore as hath honoured me in the sight of the 
have a mind thereunto, let them de- king, and his counsellors, and all his 
part with thee, as it hath seemed good | 27 friends and nobles. Therefore was I 
both to me and my seven friends the encouraged by the help of the Lord 
12 counsellors ; that they may look unto my God, and gathered together out of 
the affairs of Judza and Jerusalem, | 28 Israel men to go up with me. And), Hat. 
agreeably to that which is in the law these are the chief according to their | gasp. 
13 of the Lord, and carry the gifts unto families and the several divisions | s Ezra 
the Lord of Israel to Jerusalem, which thereof, that went up with me from Mca 
I and. my friends have vowed; and Babylon in the reign of king Artax- | of She 
that all the gold and silver that can | 29 erxes: of the sons of Phinees, Gerson : =" 
be found in the country of Babylonia of the sons of Ithamar, Gamael: of the | %,. of 
14for the Lord in Jerusalem, with that sons of David, *? Attus * the son of Se- | Parosh. 
also which is given of the people for | 30 chenias: of the sons of Phoros, Zacha- ae 
the temple of the Lord their God that rias; and with him were counted a@ | 36 gore 
is at Jerusalem, be collected: even | 31 hundred and fifty men: of the sons of | viii. 5, of 
the gold and silver for bullocks, rams, Phaath Moab, Eliaonias the son of | ® + ‘Shoe 
and lambs, and things thereunto ap- 9 Zaraias, and with him two hundred | caniah, 
15 pertaining; to the end that they may | 32men: ?°of the sons of Zathoes, Se- a a 
offer sacrifices. unto the Lord upon chenias the son of Jezelus, and with | 3.7" 
the altar of the Lord their God, which him three hundred men: of the sons | 11 An- 
16is in Jerusalem. And whatsoever of Adin, Obeth the son of Jonathan, wie 
thou and thy brethren are minded and with him two hundred and fifty | ;;; ett 
to do with gold and silver, that per- | 33 men: of the sons of Elam, Jesias son | 12 Atha- 
form, according to the will of thy God. of 12 Gotholias, and with him seventy | Viet. 
17 And the holy vessels of the Lord, | 34 men: of the sons of Saphatias, ** Za- ae 
which are given thee for the use of raias son of Michael, and with him | 14 ga 
the temple of thy God, which is in | 35threescore and ten men: of the sons | diah. 
18 Jerusalem : and whatsoever thing else of Joab, #4 Abadias son of 1° Jezelus, 15 Jehiel 
thou shalt remember for the use of the and with him two hundred and twelve winrar 
temple of thy God, thou shalt give it | 36 men:** of the sons of Banias, Salimoth | ihe sons 
19 out of the king’s treasury. And I king son of Josaphias, and with him a a 
Artaxerxes have also commanded the | 37 hundred and threescore men: of the | son of 
keepers of the treasures in Syria and sons of Babi, Zacharias son of Bebai, pees 
Pheenicia, that whatsoever Esdras the and with him twenty and eight men: |77"7" 
priest and reader of the law of the | 38 of the sons of 1 Astath, Joannes son | gad. 




















weighed them the silver, and the gold, 
and the holy vessels of the house of 
our Lord, which the king, and his 
counsellors, and the nobles, and all 
56 Israel, had given. And when I had 
weighed it, I delivered unto them six 
hundred and fifty talents of silver, and 
silver vessels of a hundred talents, 
57 and a hundred talents of gold, and 
twenty golden vessels, and twelve 
vessels of brass, even of fine brass, 
58 glittering like gold. And I said unto 
them, Both ye are holy unto the Lord, 





mixed with the strange people of the 
land; and from the beginning of this 
matter the rulers and the nobles have 
71 been partakers of this iniquity. And 
as soon as I had heard these things, 
I rent my clothes, and my holy gar- 
ment, and plucked the hair from off 
my head and beard, and sat me down 
72 sad and full of heaviness. Soall they 
that were moved at the word of the 
Lord, the God of Israel, assembled 
unto me, whilst I mourned for the 
iniquity: but I sat still full of heavi- 


11 





8. 58. I. ESDRAS. 8. 72. 
1 Hak- of 1 Akatan, and with him a ‘hundred and the vessels are holy, and the 1s An- 
katan- |39and ten men: of the sons of Adoni- gold and the silver are a vow unto | other 

kam, the last,and these are the names the Lord, the Lord of our fathers. | is, an 
2 Shema- of them, Eliphalat, Jeuel, and *Sama- | 59 Watch ye, and keep them till ye de- parca 
"aoe 40 ias, and with them seventy men: of| — liver them to the chiefs of the priests | Gna the 
3 Bigvai. the sons of * Bago, Uthi the son of and Levites, and to the principal men aioe: 
Istaleurus, and with him seventy men. of the families of Israel, in Jerusalem, cord xe 
41 And I gathered them together to in the chambers of the house of our 
the river called Theras; and there | 60 Lord. So the priests and the Levites, 
we pitched our tents three days, and who received the silver and the gold 
421 surveyed them. But when I had and the vessels which were in Jerusa- 
found there none of the priests and lem, brought them into the temple of 
43 Levites, then sent I unto Eleazar, and the Lord. 
4 Ariel. | 444Tduel, and 2Maasmas, and Elnathan,| 61 And from the river Theras we de- 
5 Jarib. and Samaias, and *Joribus, Nathan, parted the twelfth day of the first 
Ennatan, Zacharias, and Mosolla- month, until we came to Jerusalem, 
mus, principal men and men of under- by the mighty hand of our Lord 
45 standing. And I bade them that they which was upon us: and the Lord 

6 Iddo. should go unto * Loddeus the captain, delivered us from assault by the 
7 Ca- who was in the place of ‘the trea- way, from every enemy, and so we 
— 46'sury: and commanded them that they |62came to Jerusalem. And when we 

should speak unto Loddeus, and to had been there three days, the silver 

his brethren, and to the treasurers in and gold was weighed and delivered 

that place, to send us such men as in the house of our Lord on the fourth 

might execute the priests’ office in day unto #* Marmoth the priest the | 14 Mere- 
47 the house of our Lord. And by the | 63son of * Urias. And with him was | ™th._ 

mighty hand of our Lord they brought Eleazar the son of Phinees, and with | *° Uriah. 

8 An- unto us men of understanding of the them were Josabdus the son of Jesus 
oe ‘sons of ® Mooli the son of Levi, the son and 14° Moeth the son of Sabannus, the | 1¢ Voa- 
is, a of Israel, 1 Asebebias, and his sons, Levites: all was delivered them by | G4 ee 
ag ae and his brethren, who were eighteen, | 64 number and weight. And all the Binnui 
a. * | 48and ™ Asebias, and Annuus, and Osa- weight of them was written up the | 
rebiah. ias his brother, of the sons of Cha- | 65same hour. Moreover they that were 
11 Ha- nuneus, and their sons were twenty come out of the captivity offered sac- 

49 men; and ofthe temple-servants whom rifices unto the Lord, the God of 
David and the principal men had ap- Israel, even twelve bullocks for all 
pointed for the service of the Levites, Israel, fourscore and sixteen rams, 
two hundred and twenty temple-ser- | 66 threescore and twelve lambs, goats 
yants, the catalogue of all their names for a peace offering, twelve; all of 
50 was shewed. And there I vowed a/|67them a sacrifice to the Lord. And 
fast for the young men before our they delivered the king’s command- 
Lord, to desire of him a prosperous ments unto the king’s stewards, and 
journey both for us and for our chil- to the governors of Ccelesyria and 
dren and cattle that were with us: Pheenicia; and they honoured the 
51 for I was ashamed to ask of the king people and the temple of the Lord. 
footmen, and horsemen, and conduct | 68 Now when these things were done, 
for safeguard against our adversa- the principal men came unto me, and 
52ries. For we had said unto the king, | 69 said, The nation of Israel, and the 
that the power of our Lord would be princes, and the priests and the Le- 
with them that seek him, to support vites, have not put away from them 
53 them in all ways. And again we be- the strange people of the land,*7 nor i oe 
sought our Lord as touching these the uncleannesses of the Gentiles, to sire 
things, and found him favourable wit, of the Canaanites, Hittites, Phere- | is, nor 
54 unto us. Then I separated twelve zites, Jebusites, and the Moabites, =i 

12 She- men of the chiefs of the priests, ** Ese- | 70 Egyptians, and Edomites. For both | nesses, to 
ped rebias, and Assamias, and ten men they and their sons have married with bee ‘ 
biah. 55 of their brethren with them: and I their daughters, and the holy seed is | tites, §c 











I. ESDRAS. 


9. 14. 











73 ness until the evening sacrifice. Then 
rising up from the fast with my clothes 
and my holy garment rent, and bowing 
my knees, and stretching forth my 

74 hands unto the Lord, I said, O Lord, I 
am ashamed and confounded before 

75 thy face; for our sins are multiplied 
above our heads, and our errors have 

76reached up unto heaven, ever since 
the time of our fathers ; and we are in 

77 great sin, even unto this day. And for 
our sins and our fathers’ we with our 
brethren and our kings and our priests 
were given up unto the kings of the 
earth, to the sword, and to captivity, 
and for a prey with shame, unto this 

78day. And now in some measure hath 
mercy been shewed unto us from thee, 
O Lord, that there should be left ns a 
root and a name in the place of thy 

79 sanctuary ; and to discover unto us a 
light in the house of the Lord our God, 
and to give us food in the time of our 

80 servitude. Yea, when we were in 
bondage, we were not forsaken of our 
Lord; but he made us gracious before 
the kings of Persia, so that they gave 

81 us food, and glorified the temple of our 
Lord, and raised up the desolate Sion, 
to give us a sure abiding in Jewry and 

82 Jerusalem. And now, O Lord, what 
shall we say, having these things ? for 
we have transgressed thy command- 
ments, which thou gavest by the hand 
of thy servants the prophets, saying, 

83 That the land which ye enter into to 
possess as a heritage, is a land pol- 
luted with the pollutions of the stran- 
gers of the land, and they have filled 

84 it with their uncleanness. Therefore 
now shall ye not join your daughters 
unto. their sons, neither shall ye take 

85 their daughters unto your sons. Nei- 
ther shall ye seek to have peace with 
them for-ever, that ye may be strong, 
and eat the good things of the land, 
and that ye may leave it for an inherit- 
ance unto your children for evermore. 

86 And all that is befallen is done unto us 
for our wicked works and great sins: 
for thou, O Lord, didst make our sins 

87 light, and didst give unto us sucha 
root: but we have turned back again 
to transgress thy law, in mingling 
ourselves with the uncleanness of 

88 the heathen of the land. !Thou wast 
not angry with us to destroy us, till 
thou hadst left us neither root, seed, 

89 nor name. O Lordof Israel, thou art 
true: for we are left a root this day. 

90 Behold, now are we before thee in our 
iniquities, for we cannot stand any 
longer before thee by reason of these 
things. 

91 2 And as Esdras in his prayer made 
his confession, weeping, and lying flat 
upon the ground before the temple, 
there gathered unto him from Jerusa- 
lem avery great throng of men and 
women and children: for there was 





great weeping among the multitude. 
92 Then Jechonias the son of Jeelus, one 
of the sons of Israel, called out, and 
said, O Esdras, we have sinned against 
the Lord God, we have married 
strange women of the heathen of the 
93 land, and now is all Israel * aloft. Let 
us make an oath unto the Lord herein, 
that we will put away all our wives, 
which we havetaken of the strangers, 
94 with their children, like as seemeth 
good unto thee, and to as many as do 
95 obey the law of the Lord. Arise, and 
put in execution : for to thee doth this 
matter appertain, and we will be with 
96 thee to do valiantly. So Esdras arose, 
and took an oath of the chief of the 
priests and Levites of all Israel to do 
after these things; and so they sware. 

9 4Then Esdras rising from the court 
of the temple went to the chamber of 

2 Jonas the son of Eliasib, and lodged 
there, and did eat no bread nor drink 
water, mourning for the great iniqui- 

3 ties of the multitude. And there was 
made proclamation in all Jewry and 
Jerusalem to all them that were of 
the captivity, that they should be 

4 gathered together at Jerusalem: and 
that whosoever met not there within 
two or three days, according as the 
elders that bare rule appointed, their 
cattle should be seized to the use of 
the temple, and himself cast out from 
the multitude of them that were of the 
captivity. 

5 Andin three days were all they of the 
tribe of Judahand Benjamin gathered 
together at Jerusalem: this was the 
ninth month, on the twentieth day of 

6 the month. And all the multitude sat 
together trembling in the broad place 
before the temple because of the pre- 

7 sent foul weather. So Esdras arose 
up, and said unto them, Ye have trans- 
gressed the law and married strange 
wives, thereby to increase the sins of 

8 Israel. And now make confession and 
give glory unto the Lord, the God of 

9 our fathers, and do his will, and sepa- 
rate yourselves from the heathen of 
the land, and from the strange women. 

10 Then cried the whole multitude, and 
said with a loud voice, Like as thou 
11 hast spoken, so will we do. But for- 
asmuch as the multitude is great, and 
it is foul weather, so that we cannot 
stand without, and this is not a work 
of one day or two, seeing our sin in 
12 these things is spread far: therefore 
let the rulers of the multitude stay, 
and let all them of our habitations 
that have strange wives come at the 
13 time appointed, and with them the 
rulers and judges of every place, till 
we turn away the wrath of the Lord 
14 from us for this matter. Then Jona- 
than the son of Azael and ° Ezekias 
the son of Thocanus accordingly took 
the matter upon them: and Mosolla- 


12 





3 Or, 
Deut. 
13. 


4 Ezra 
6, 


5 An- 
other 
reading 
is, Hzias. 














9. 37. 


I. ESDRAS. 


9. 55. 








mus and Levis and Sabbateus were 

15 assessors to them. And they that 
were of the captivity did according to 
all these things. 

16 And Esdras the priest chose unto 
him principal men of their families, 
all by name: and on the new moon of 
the tenth month they were shut in 

17 together to examine the matter. So 
their cause that held strange wives 
was brought to an end by the new 

18 moon of the first month. And of the 

' priests that were come together, and 

- had strange wives, there were found; 

19 of the sons of Jesus the son of Jose- 
dek, and his brethren; 1! Mathelas, 
and Eleazar, and 2 Joribus, and * Jo- 

20adanus. And they gave their hands 
to put away their wives, and to offer 
rams to make reconcilement for their 

21error. And of the sons of Emmer; 
Ananias, and Zabdeus, and * Manes, 
and 1 Sameus, and ® Hiereel, and ®Aza- 
22rias. And of the sons of 7 Phaisur ; 
Elionas, Massias, Ismael, and Nathan- 

23 ael, and * Ocidelus, and *Saloas. And 
of the Levites ; Jozabdus, and Semeis, 
and * Colitis, who was ealled 1 Cali- 
tas, and ” Patheus, and Judas, and 

24 Jonas. Of the holy singers; * Eliasi- 

25 bus, Bacchurus. Of the porters; Sal- 

26 lumus, and “ Tolbanes. Of Israel, of 
the sons of © Phoros ; ** Hiermas, and 
47 Jeddias, and Melchias, and * Mae- 
lus, and Eleazar, and ” Asibias, and 

27 Banneas. Of the sons of Ela; Mat- 
thanias, Zacharias, and 5 Jezrielus, 
and Oabdius, and Hieremoth, and 

28° Aedias. And of the sons of 7! Za- 
moth; * Eliadas, ! Eliasimus, 7° Otho- 
nias, Jarimoth, and **Sabathus, and 

29% Zardeus. Of the sons of Bebai; Jo- 
annes, and Ananias, and 76 Jozabdus, 

30and **Ematheis. Of the sons of 
28 Mani; ** Olamus, °° Mamuchus, *! Je- 
deus, Jasubus, and ** Jasaelus, and 

31 Hieremoth. And of the sons of Addi; 
Naathus, and Moossias, Laccunus, 
and Naidus, and Matthanias, and Ses- 

32 thel, Balnuus, and Manasseas. And 
of the sons of Annas; Elionas, and 
Aseas, and Melchias, and Sabbeus, 

33 and Simon Chosameus. And of the 
sons of Asom; * Maltanneus, and 
*% Mattathias, and **Sabanneus, Eli- 
phalat, and Manasses, and Semei. 

34 And of the sons of Baani; Jeremias, 
Momadis, Ismaerus, Juel, Mamdai, and 
Pedias, and Anos, Carabasion, and 
Enasibus, and Mamnitanemus, Elia- 
sis, Bannus, Eliali, Someis, Selemias, 
Nathanias: and of the sons of Ezora; 
Sesis, Ezril, Azaelus, Samatus, Zam- 

35 bri, Josephus. And of the sons of 
Nooma; Mazitias, Zabadeas, Edos, 

36 Juel, Banaias. All these had taken 
Strange wives, and they put them 

37 away with their children. And the 





priests and Levites, and they that 
were of Israel, dwelt in Jerusalem, 
and in the country, on the new moon 
of the seventh month, and the children 
of Israel in their habitations. 

38 % And the whole multitude were ga- 
thered together with one accord into 
the broad place before the porch of 

39 the temple toward the east: and they 
said unto Esdras the priest and read- 
er, Bring the law of Moses, that was 
given of the Lord, the God of Israel. 

40 So Esdras the chief priest brought the 
law unto the whole multitude both of 
men and women, and to all the priests, 
to hear the law on the new moon of 

41 the seventh month. And he read in 
the broad place before the porch of 
the temple from morning unto mid- 
day, before both men and women; 
and * all the multitude gave heed unto 

42the law. And Esdras the priest and 
reader of the law stood up upon the 
pulpit of wood, which was made for 

43 that purpose. And there stood up by 
him Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, 
Azarias, Urias, *7 Ezekias, 1 Baalsa- 

44 mus, upon the right hand: and upon 
his left hand, * Phaldeus, Misael, Mel- 


chias, **Lothasubus, Nabarias, Zacha- | ‘ 


45 rias. Then took Esdras the book of 
the law before the multitude, and sat 
honourably in the first place before 

46 all. And when he opened the law, 
they stood all straight up. So Esdras 
blessed the Lord God Most High, the 

47 God of hosts, Almighty. And all the 
people answered, Amen; and lifting 
up their hands they fell to the ground, 

48and worshipped the Lord. Also Je- 
sus, Annus, Sarabias, Iadinus, Jacu- 
bus, Sabateus, * Auteas, Maiannas, 
and Calitas, Azarias, and Jozabdus, 
and Ananias, Phalias, the Levites, 
taught the law of the Lord, *‘ and read 
to the multitude the law of the Lord, 
making them withal to understand it. 

49 Then said Attharates unto Esdras 
the chief priest and reader, and to the 
Levites that taught the multitude, 

50 even to all, This day is holy unto the 
Lord; (now they all wept when they 

51 heard the law:) go then, and eat the 
fat, and drink the sweet, and send 
portions to them that have nothing; 

52 for the day is holy unto the Lord: and 
be not sorrowful; for the Lord will 

53 bring you to honour. So the Levites 
published all things to the people, 
saying, This day is holy; be not sor- 

54 rowful. Then went they their way, 
every one to eat and drink, and make 
merry, and to give portions to them 
that had nothing, and to make great 

55 cheer; because they 42 understood the 
words wherein they were instructed, 
and for the which they had been as- 
sembled. 


13 


35 Ne 
viii. 1. 


36 An- 
other 
reading 
is, they 


feed. 


37 Hil- 
kiah. 


38 Peda- 
iah. 


39° Ha- 
shum. 


42 Or, 
were 


inspired 
by 




















Il. ESDRAS. 


1 THE second book of the prophet 
Esdras, the son of Saraias, the son of 
Azaraias, the son of Helkias, the son 
of Salemas, the son of Sadoc, the son 

2 of Ahitob, the son of Achias, the son 
of Phinees, the son of Heli, the son of 
Amarias, the son of Aziei, the son of 
Marimoth, the son of Arna, the son of 
Ozias, the son of Borith, the son of 
Abissei, the son of Phinees, the son of 

3 Eleazar, the son of Aaron, of the 
tribe of Levi; which was captive in 
the land of the Medes, in the reign of 
Artaxerxes king of the Persians. 

4 And the word of the Lord came unto 

5 me, saying, Go thy way, and shew my 
people their sinful deeds, and their 
children their wickedness which they 
have done against me; that they may 

6 tell their children’s children: because 
the sins of their fathers are increased 
in them: for they have forgotten me, 
and haye done sacrifice unto strange 

7 gods. Did not I bring them out of 
the land of Egypt, out of the house of 
bondage ? but they have provoked me 
unto wrath, and despised my counsels. 

8 Shake thou then the hair of thy head, 
and east all evils upon them, for they 
have not been obedient unto my law, 

9 but it is a rebellious people. How 
long shall I forbear them, unto whom 

10I have done so much good? Many 
kings have I overthrown for their 


sakes; Pharaoh with his servants and 


11 all his host have I smitten down. All 
the nations have I destroyed before 
them, and in the east I have scattered 
the people. of two provinces, even of 
Tyre and Sidon, and have slain all 

12 their adversaries. Speak thou there- 
fore unto them, saying, 

13 Thus saith the Lord, Of a truth I 
brought you through the sea, and 
where there was no path I made for 
you highways; I gave you Moses fora 

14 leader, and Aaron for a priest. I gave 
you light in a pillar of fire, and great 
wonders have I done among you; yet 
have ye forgotten me, saith the Lord. 

15 Thus saith the Lord Almighty, The 
quails were fora token to you; Igave 
you a camp for your safeguard, never- 

16 theless ye murmured there: and ye 
triumphed not in my name for the 
destruction of your enemies, but ever 

17 tothis day do ye yetmurmur. Where 
are the benefits that I have done for 
you? when ye were hungry and thirsty 
in the wilderness, did ye not ery unto 

18 me, saying, Why hast thou brought 
us into this wilderness to kill us? it 





had been better for us to have served 
the Egyptians, than to die in this 

19 wilderness. I had pity upon your 
mournings, and gave you manna for 

20 food; ye did eat angels’ bread. When 
ye were thirsty, did I not cleave the 
rock, and waters flowed out to your 
fill? for the heat I covered you with 

21the leaves of the trees. I divided 
among you fruitful lands; I cast out 
the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and 
the Philistines, before you: what shall 
I yet do more for you? saith the Lord. 

22 Thus saith the Lord Almighty, When 
ye were in the wilderness, at the bitter 
river, being athirst, and blaspheming 

23 my name, I gave you not fire for your 
blasphemies, but cast a tree in the 
water, and made the river sweet. 

24 What shall I do unto thee, O Jacob? 
thou, Judah, wouldest not obey me: 
I will turn me to other nations, and 
unto them will I give my name, that 

25 they may keepmy statutes. Seeing 
ye have forsaken me, I also will for- 
sake you; when ye ask me to be mer- 
ciful unto you, I will have no mercy 

26 upon you. Whensoever ye shall call 
upon me, I will not hear you: for ye 
have defiled your hands with blood, 
and your feet are swift to commit 

27 manslaughter. Ye have not as it were 
forsaken me, but your own selves, 
saith the Lord. 

28 Thus saith the Lord Almighty, Have 
I not prayed you as a father his sons, 
as a mother her daughters, and a nurse 

29 her young babes, that ye would be my 
people, and Ishould be your God; that 
ye would be my children, and I should 

30 be your father? I gathered you to- 
gether,as a hen gathereth her chick- 
ens under her wings: but now, what 
shall I do unto you? I will cast you 

31 out from my presence. When ye of- 
fer oblations unto me, I will turn my 
face from you: for your solemn feast 
days, your new moons, and your cir- 
cumcisions of the flesh, have I reject- 

32ed. I sent unto you my servants the 
prophets, whom ye have taken and 
slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, 
whose blood I will require of your 
hands, saith the Lord. 

33 Thus saith the Lord Almighty, Your 
house is desolate, I will cast you out 

34 as the wind doth stubble. And your 
children shall not be fruitful; for they 
have neglectedmy commandment + un- 
to you, and done that which is evil be- 

35fore me. Your houses will I give to 
a people that shall come; which not 


14 





Rian 
ether 
we pont 











Il. ESDRAS. 











having heard of me yet believe me; 

- they to whom I have shewed no signs 
shall do that which I have command- 

36ed. They have seen no prophets, yet 
they shall call their former estate to 

37 remembrance. I take to witness the 
grace of the people that shall come, 
whose little ones rejoice with glad- 
ness: ‘and though they see me not 
with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they 
shall believe the thing that I say. 

38 And now, O father, behold with 

- glory; and see the people that come 

39 from the east: unto whom I will give 

for leaders, Abraham, Isaac, and 
Jacob, Oseas, Amos, and eas, 

40 Joel, Abdias, and Jonas, Nah and 
Abacuc, Sophonias, Aggzeus, Zachary, 
and Malachy, which is called also the 
angel of the Lord. 

9. Thus saith the Lord, I brought this 
people out of bondage, and I gave 
them my commandments by my ser- 
yants the prophets ; whom they would 
not hear, but set my counsels at 

2nought. The mother that bare them 
saith unto them, Go your way, O my 
children; for I am a widow and for- 

3saken. I brought you up with glad- 
ness, and with sorrow and heaviness 
have I lost you: for ye have sinned 
before the Lord God, and done that 

4 which is evil before me. But what 
shall I now do unto you? for lam a 
widow and forsaken: go your way, O 
my children; and ask mercy of the 

5 Lord. As forme, O father, I call upon 
thee for a witness over the mother of 
these children, because they would not 

6keep my covenant, that thou bring 
them to confusion, and their mother to 
a spoil, that there may be no offspring 

Toft them. Let them be scattered 
abroad among the heathen, let their 
names be blotted out of the earth: 
for they have despised my ! covenant. 

8 Woe unto thee, Assur, thou that hid- 
est the unrighteous with thee: O 
thou wicked nation, remember what 
I did unto Sodom and Gomorrah; 

9 whose land lieth in clods of pitch and 
heaps of ashes : even so also will I do 
unto them that have not hearkened 
unto me, saith the Lord Almighty. 

10 Thus saith the Lord unto Esdras, 
Tell my people that I will give them 
the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I 

11 would have given unto Israel. Their 
glory also will I take unto me, and 
give these the everlasting tabernacles, 

12 which I had prepared for them. They 
shall have the tree of life for an oint- 
ment of sweet savour; they shall 

13 neither labour, nor be weary. 2 Ask, 
and ye shall receive: pray for few 
days unto you, that they may be 
shortened: the kingdom is already 

14 prepared for you: watch. Take hea- 
ven and earth to witness, take them 
to witness; for I have given up the 





evil, and created the good: for I live, 
saith the Lord. 

15 Mother, embrace thy children ; I will 
bring them out with gladness like a 
dove; stablish their feet; for I have 

16 chosen thee, saith the Lord. And 
those that be dead will I raise up 
again from their places, and bring 
them out of the tombs: for I *have 

17 known my name in them. Fear not, 
thou mother of the children: for I 
have chosen thee, saith the Lord. 

18 For thy help will I send my servants 
Esaias and Jeremy, after whose coun- 
sel I have sanctified and prepared for 
thee twelve trees laden with divers 

19 fruits, and as many fountains flow- 
ing with milk and honey, and seven 
mighty mountains, whereupon there 
grow roses and lilies, whereby I will 

20 fill thy children with joy. Do right to 
the widow, judge the fatherless, give 
to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe 

21 the naked, heal the broken and the 
weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, 
defend the maimed, and let the blind 
man come unto the sight of my glory. 

22 Keep the old and young within thy 

23 walls. Wheresoever thou findest the 
dead, set a sign upon them and com- 
mit them to the grave, and I will 
give thee the first place in my resur- 

24 rection. Abide still,O my people, and 
take thy rest, for thy quietness shall 

25 come. Nourish thy children, O thou 
good nurse, and stablish their feet. 

26 As for the servants whom I have given 
thee, there shall not one of them per- 
ish; for I will require them from 

27 among thy number. Be not careful 
overmuch: for when the day of tribu- 
lation and anguish cometh, others 
shall weep and be sorrowful, but thou 
shalt be merry and have abundance. 

28 The nations shall envy thee, but they 
shall be able to do nothing against 

29 thee, saith the Lord. My hands shall 
cover thee, so that thy children see 

30 not ‘hell. Be joyful, O thou mother, 
with thy children; for I will deliver 

31 thee, saith the Lord. Remember thy 
children that sleep, for I shall bring 
them out of the secret places of the 
earth, and shew mercy unto them: 
for Iam merciful, saith the Lord Al 

32 mighty. Embrace thy children until 
I come, and proclaim mercy unto 
them: for my wells run over, and my 
grace shall not fail. 

33 I Esdras received a charge from the 
Lord upon the mount Horeb, that I 
should go unto Israel; but when I 
came unto them, they would none of 
me, and rejected the commandment 

34 of the Lord. And therefore I say 
unto you, O ye nations, that hear and 
understand, look for your shepherd, 
he shall give you everlasting rest; for 
he is nigh at hand, that shall come in 

35 the end of the world. Be ready to 


15 




















3. 5. II. ESDRAS. 3. 2s 
the rewards of the kingdom, for the the breath of life, and he was made 
everlasting light shall shine upon you 6 living before thee. And thou leddest 

36 for evermore. Flee the shadow of him into paradise, which thy right 
this world, receive the joyfulness of hand did plant, before ever the earth 
your glory: I call to witness my| 7 came forward. And unto him thou 

37 saviour openly. Oreceive that which gavest thy one commandment: which 
is given you of the Lord, and be joy- he transgressed, and immediately 
ful, giving thanks unto him that hath thou appointedst death for him and in 
ealled you to heavenly kingdoms. his generations ; and there were born 

38 Arise up and stand, and behold the of him nations and tribes, peoples and. 
number of those that be sealed in the | 8 kindreds, out of number. And every 

39 feast of the Lord; they that withdrew nation walked after their own will, 
them from the shadow of the world and did ungodly things before thee, 
have received glorious garments of and despised thy commandments, and 

1 An- 40 the Lord. +Look upon thy number,|} 9thou didst not forbid them. Never- 
Seat O Sion, and make up the reckoning theless again in process of time thou 
is, Take. of those of thine that are clothed in broughtest the flood upon those that 
white, which have fulfilled the law of dwelt in the world, and destroyedst 

41the Lord. The number of thy chil-| 10them. And it came to pass that the 

dren, whom thou longedst for, is ful- same hap befell them; like as death 

filled: beseech the power of the Lord, was to Adam, so was the flood to 

that thy people, which have been call- | 11 these. Nevertheless one of them thou 

ed from the beginning, may be hal- leftest, Noah with his household, even 

lowed. all the righteous men that came of 

42 JI Esdras saw upon the mount Siona|12him. And it came to pass, that when 
great multitude, whom I could not they that dwelt upon the earth began 
number, and they all praised the Lord to multiply, they multiplied also chil- 

43 withsongs. And inthe midst of them dren, and peoples, and many nations, 
there was a young man of a high and began again to be more. ungodly 
stature, taller than all the rest, and | 13 than the first. And it came to pass, 
upon every one of their heads he set when they did wickedly before thee, 
crowns, and was more exalted; where- thou didst choose thee one from 

44at I marvelled greatly. So I asked among them, whose name was Abra- 
the angel, and said, What are these, | 14 ham; and him thou lovedst, and unto 

45 my Lord? He answered and said unto him only thou shewedst the end of 
me, These be they that have put off | 15 the times secretly by night: and mad- 
the mortal clothing, and put on the est an everlasting covenant with him, 
immortal, and have confessed the promising him that thou wouldest 
name of God: now are they crowned, | 16 never forsake his seed. And unto 

46 and receive palms. Then said I unto him thou gavest Isaac, and unto Isaac 
the angel, What young man is he that thou gavest Jacob and Esau. And 
setteth crowns upon them, and giveth thou didst set apart Jacob for thyself, 

47 them palms in their hands? So he but didst put by Esau: and Jacob be- 
answered and said unto me, It is the | 17 camea great multitude. And it came 
Son of God, whom they have confess- to pass, that when thou leddest his 
ed in the world. Then began I great- seed out of Egypt, thou broughtest 
ly to commend them that stood so} 18them up to the mount Sinai. Thou 

48 stiffly for the name of the Lord. Then bowedst the heavens also, and didst 
the angel said unto me, Go thy way, 4shake the earth, and movedst the | 4 So 
and tell my people what manner of whole world, and madest the depths | Me... 
things, and how great wonders of the to tremble, and troubledst the cowrse | Lat. set 
Lord God thou hast seen. 190f that age. And thy glory went | 4% 

through four gates, of fire, and of 

8 Inthe thirtieth year after the ruin of earthquake, and of wind, and of cold; 
the city, I Salathiel (the same is Es- that thou mightest give the law unto 
dras) was in Babylon, and lay troubled the seed of Jacob, and the command- 
upon my bed, and my thoughts came ment unto the generation of Israel. 

2up over my heart: for I saw the deso- | 20 And yet tookest thou not away from 
lation of Sion, and the wealth of them them their ® wicked heart, that thy | 5 or, 
3 that dwelt at Babylon. And my spirit law might bring forth fruit in them. | co77™t 
was sore moved, so that I began to | 21 For the first Adam bearing a ° wicked 
speak words full of fear to the Most heart transgressed, and was_ over- 
4 High, and said, O Lord that bearest come; and not he only, but all they 
rule, didst thou not speak at the be-| 22 also that are born of him. Thus dis- 
ginning, when thou didst fashion the ease was made permanent; and the 
hee the earth, and that thyself alone, and law was in the heart of the people 
tt gig 5 commandedst the 2 dust, and it * gave along with the ®wickedness of the | ¢ Or, cor- 
ZEthi- thee Adam, a body without a soul? root; so the good departed away, and | “mess 
Se ts yet it was the workmanship of thine that which was * wicked abode still. 





hands, and thou didst breathe into him 





23 So the times passed away, and the 


16 

















If. ESDRAS. 





1 Or, 


26 the city did evil, in all things doing 





years were brought to an end: then 
didst thou raise thee up a servant, 
24 called David, whom thou command- 
edst to build a city unto thy name, 
and to offer oblations unto thee there- 
25in of thineown. When this was done 
many years, then they that inhabited 


even as Adam and all his generations 
had done: for they also bare a1 wicked 
27 heart: and so thou gavest thy city 
over into the hands of thine enemies. 
28 And I said then in mine heart, Are 
their deeds any better that inhabit 
Babylon? and hath she therefore do- 
29 minion over Sion? For it came to pass 
when I came hither, that I saw also 
impieties without number, and my 
soul saw many evil-doers in this thir- 
tieth year, so that my heart failed me. 
30 For I have seen how thou sufferest 
them sinning, and hast spared the un- 
godly doers, and hast destroyed thy 
people, and hast preserved thine ene- 
31 mies; and thou hast not signified unto 
any *how thy way may be compre- 
hended. Are the deeds of Babylon 
32 better than those of Sion? Or is there 
any other nation that knoweth thee 
beside Israel? or what tribes have so 
believed thy covenants as these tribes 
33 o0f Jacob? And yet their reward 
appeareth not, and their labour hath 
no fruit: for I have gone hither and 
thither through the nations, and I see 
that they abound in wealth, and think 
34 not upon thy commandments. Weigh 
thou therefore our iniquities now in 
the balance, and theirs also that dwell 
’ in the world; and so shall it be found 
35 which way the scale inclineth. Or 
when was it that they which dwell 
upon the earth have not sinned in thy 
sight? or what nation hath so kept 
36 thy commandments? Thou shalt find 
that men who may be reckoned by 
name have kept thy precepts; but 
nations thou shalt not find. 
4 And the angel that was sent unto 
me, whose name was Uriel, gave me 
2 an answer, and said to me, Thy heart 
hath utterly failed thee in regarding 
this world, and thinkest thou to com- 
prehend the way of the Most High? 
3 Then said I, Yea, my Lord. 

And he answered me, and said, Iam 
sent to shew thee three ways, and to 
set forth three similitudes before 

4 thee: whereof if thou canst declare 
me one, I also will shew thee the way 
that thou desirest to see, and I will 
teach thee wherefore the heart is 
1 wicked. 

5 And I said, Say on, my Lord. 

Then said he unto me, Go to, weigh 
me a weight of fire, or measure me a 
Smeasure of wind, or call me again 
the day that is past. 

6 Then answered I and said, Who of 
the sons of men is able to do this, 


17 





that thou shouldest ask me of such 
things ? 

7 And he said unto me, If I had asked 
thee, saying, How many dwellings are 
there in the heart of the sea? or how 
many springs are there at the foun- 
tain head of the deep? or how many 
3 ways are above the firmament? or 
which are the outgoings ¢ of hell? or 

8 which are the paths of paradise ? per- 
adventure thou wouldest say unto me, 
I never went down into the deep, nor 
as yet into hell, neither did I ever 

9climb up into heaven. Nevertheless 
now have I asked thee but only of the 
fire and wind, and of the day, things 
wherethrough thou hast passed, and 
5 without which thou canst not be, and 
yet hast thou given me no answer of 
them. 

10 He said moreover unto me, Thine 
own things, that are grown up with 

11 thee, canst thou not know ; how then 
ean thy vessel comprehend the way of 
the Most High? and how can he that 
is already worn out with the corrupted 
world understand °incorruption? 

12 7And when I heard these things I 
fell upon my face, and said unto him, 
It were better that we were not here at 
all, than that we should come hither 
and live in the midst of ungodliness, 
and suffer, and not know wherefore. 

13 He answered me, and said, * The 
woods of the trees of the field went 

14 forth, and took counsel together, and 
said, Come, let us go and make war 
against the sea, that it may depart 
away before us, and that we may 

15 make us more woods. The waves of 
the sea also in like manner took coun- 
sel together, and said, Come, let us 
go up and subdue the wood of the 
plain, that there also we may make us 

16 another country. The counsel of the 
wood was in vain, for the fire came 

17and consumed it: likewise also the 
counsel of the waves of the sea, for 
the sand stood up and stopped them. 

18 If thou wert judge now betwixt these 
two, whom wouldest thou justify, or 
whom condemn ? 

19 I answered and said, It is a foolish 
counsel that they both have taken, for 
the ground is given unto the wood, 
and the place of the sea is given to 
bear his waves. 

20 Thenanswered he me, and said, Thou 
hast given a right judgement, and 
why judgest thou not in thine own 

21 case? For like as the ground is given 
unto the wood, and the sea to his 
waves, even so they that dwell upon 
the earth may understand nothing 
but that which is upon the earth: and 
he only that dwelleth above the hea- 
vens may understand the things that 
are above the height of the heavens. 

22 Then answered I and said, I beseech 
thee, O Lord, * wherefore is the power 

Cc 


4 So the 
Syriac. 
he 

Latin 
omits of 
hell? or 
which 
are the 
paths. 

















4, 39. 


II. ESDRAS. 





1 So the 
chief 


versions. 
he 

Latin is 

corrupt. 


2 So the 
Syriac. 


4 Or, 
thresh- 
ing-floor 


versions. 


6 So the 
ra 
he 
Latin is 
corrupt. 


7 So the 
Syriac. 
The 
Latin 
has shall 
hope 
on this 
Jashion? 


8 Syr. 
rest. 





23 of understanding given untome? For 
it was not my mind to be curious of 
the ways above, but of such things as 
pass by us daily; because Israel is 
given up as a reproach to the heathen, 
and the people whom thou hast loved 
is given over unto ungodly nations, 
and the law of our forefathers is made 
of none effect, and the written cove- 

24 nants are nowhere regarded, and we 
pass away out of the world as grass- 
hoppers, and our life is as a1 vapour, 
neither are we worthy to obtain mer- 

25ecy. What will he then do for his 
name whereby we are called? Of 
these things have I asked. 

26 Then answered he me, and said, If 
thou be alive, thou shalt see, and if 
thou livest ? long, thou shalt marvel; 
for the world hasteth fast to pass 

27away. For itis not able to bear the 
things that are promised to the right- 
eous in the times to come: for this 
world is full of sadness and infirmi- 

28ties. For the evil * whereof thou 
askest me is sown, but the gathering 

29 thereof is not yet come. If therefore 
that which is sown be not reaped, and 
if the place where the evil is sown 
pass not away, there cannot come the 

30 field where the good is sown. Fora 
grain of evil seed was sown in the 
heart of Adam from the beginning, 
and how much wickedness hath it 
brought forth unto this time! and 
how much shall it yet bring forth 
until the *time of threshing come! 

31 Ponder now by thyself, how great 
fruit of wickedness a grain of evil 

82 seed hath brought forth. When the 
ears which are without number shall 
be sown, how great a floor shall they 
fill! , 

383 Then I answered and said, » How 
long? and when shall these things 
come to pass? wherefore are our 
years few and evil? 

34 And he answered me, and said, Thou 
dost not hasten more than the Most 
High: for thy haste is *for thine own 
self, but he that is above hasteneth 

35 on behalf of many. Did not the souls 
of the righteous ask question of these 
things in their chambers, saying, How 
long ‘are we here? when cometh the 
fruit of the threshing time of our re- 

36 ward? And unto them Jeremiel the 
archangel gave answer, and said, Even 
when the number is fulfilled of them 
that are like unto you. For he hath 
weighed the world in the balance; 

37 and by measure hath he measured 
the times, and by number hath he 
numbered the seasons; and he shall 
not *move nor stir them, until the 
said measure be fulfilled. 

38 Then answered I and said, O Lord 
that bearest rule, yet even we all are 

39 full of impiety: and for our sakes 
peradventure it is that the + threshing 





time of the righteous is kept back, 
because of the sins of them that dwell 
upon the earth. 

40 So he answered me, and said, Go thy 
way to a woman with child, and ask 
of her when she hath fulfilled her nine 
months, if her womb may keep the 
birth any longer within her. 

41 Then said I, No, Lord, that can it 
not. 

And he said unto me, In the grave 
the chambers of souls are like the 

42 womb: for like as a woman that tra- 
vaileth maketh haste to escape the 
anguish of the travail: even so do 
these places haste to deliver those 
things that are committed unto them 

43 from the beginning. Then shall it be 
shewed thee concerning those things 
which thou desirest to see. 

44 Then answered I and said, If I have 
found favour in thy sight, and if it be 
possible, and if I be meet therefore, 

45 shew me this also, whether there be 
more to come than is past, or whether 

46 the more part is gone over us. For 
what is gone I know, but what is for 
to come I know not. 

47 And he said unto me, Stand up upon 
the right side, and I shall expound 
the similitude unto thee. 

48 So I stood, and saw, and, behold, a 
hot burning oven passed by before 
me: and it happened, that when the 
flame was gone by I looked, and, be- 

49 hold, the smoke remained still. After 
this there passed by before me a 
watery cloud, and sent down much 
rain with a storm; and when the 
stormy rain was past, the drops re- 
mained therein still. 

50 Then said he unto me, Consider with 
thyself; as the rain is more than the 
drops, and as the fireis greater than 
the smoke, so the quantity which is 
past did more exceed; but the drops 
and the smoke remained still. 

51 Then I prayed, and said, May I live, 
thinkest thou, until that time ? or who 
shall be in those days? 

52 He answered me, and said, As for the 
tokens whereof thou askest me, I may 
tell thee of themin part: butas touch- 
ing thy life, lam not sent to shew thee ; 

5 for I do not knowit. Nevertheless 
as concerning the tokens, behold, the 
days shall come, that they which dwell 
upon earth shall be taken ? with great 
amazement, and the way of truth shall 
be hidden, and the land shall be bar- 

2ren'of faith. But iniquity shall be 
increased above that which now thou 
seest, or that thou hast heard long ago. 
3 And the land, that thou seest now to 
have rule, shall be waste and 2 untrod- 

4 den,andmen shallseeitdesolate. But 
if the Most High grant thee to live, thou 
shalt see that which is after the third 
kingdom to be troubled; and the sun 
shall suddenly shine forth in the night, 


18 














IT. ESDRAS. 











5and the moon in the day: and blood 
shall drop out of wood, and the stone 
shall give his voice, and the peoples 
shall be troubled; and + their goings 
6 shall be changed: and he shall rule, 
whom they that dwell upon the earth 
look not for, and the fowls shall take 
7 their flight away together: and the 
Sodomitish sea shall cast out fish, and 
make a noise in the night, which many 
have not known: but all shall hear 
8 the voice thereof. There shall be 
chaos also in many places, and the 
fire shall be oft sent out, and the wild 
beasts shall change their places, and 
women shall bring forth monsters: 
9 and salt waters shall be found in the 
sweet, and all friends shall destroy 
one another; then shall wit hide itself, 
and understanding withdraw itself 

10 into its chamber; and it shall be 
sought of many, and shall not be 
found: and unrighteousness and in- 
continency shall be multiplied upon 

llearth. One land also shall ask an- 
other, and say, Is righteousness, is 
a man that doeth righteousness, gone 
through thee? And it shall say, No. 

12 And it shall come to pass at that time 
that men shall hope, but shall not 
obtain: they shall labour, but their 

13 ways shall not prosper. To shew thee 
such tokens I have leave ; and if thou 
wilt pray again, and weep as now, 
and fast seven days, thou shalt hear 
yet greater things than these. 

14 Then I awaked, and an extreme 
trembling went through my body,and 
my mind was troubled, so that it 

15 fainted. So the angel that was come 
to talk with me held me, comforted 

16 me, and set me up upon my feet. And 
in the second night it came to pass, 
that ? Phaltiel the captain of the peo- 
ple came unto me, saying, Where hast 
thou been? and why is thy counte- 

17 nance sad? or knowest thou not that 
Israel is committed unto thee in the 

18 land of their captivity? Up then, and 
eat some bread, and forsake us not, 
as the shepherd that leaveth his flock 

19 in the hands of cruel wolves. Then 
said I unto him, Go thy ways from 
me, and come not nigh me for seven 
days, and then shalt thou come unto 
me. And he heard what I said, and 
went from me. 

20 And so I fasted seven days, mourn- 
ing and weeping, like as Uriel the an- 

21 gelcommanded me. And after seven 
days. so it was, that the thoughts of 
my heart were very grievous untome 

22 again, and my soul recovered the 
spirit of understanding, and I began 
to speak words before the Most High 

23 again, and said, O Lord that bearest 
rule, of all the woods of the earth, 
and of all the trees thereof, thou hast 

24 chosen thee one vine: and of all the 
lands of the world thou hast chosen 





thee one *country: and of all the 
flowers of the world thou hast chosen 

25 thee one lily: and of all the depths of 
the sea thou hast filled thee one river: 
and of all builded cities thou hast hal- 

26 lowed Sion unto thyself: and of all the 
fowlsthatare created thou hast named 
thee one dove: and of all the cattle that 
are made thou hast provided thee one 

27 sheep: and among all the multitudes 
of peoples thou hast gotten thee one 
people: and unto this people, whom 
thou lovedst, thou gavest a law that 

28 is approved of all. Andnow, O Lord, 
why hast thou given this one people 
over unto many, and hast dishon- 
oured the one root above others, and 
hast scattered thine only one among 

29many? And they which did gainsay 
thy promises have trodden them.down 

30 that believed thy covenants. If thou 
dost so much hate thy people, they 
should be punished with thine own 
hands. 

31 Now when [had spoken these words, 
the angel that came to me the night 

32 afore was sent unto me, and said unto 
me, Hear me, and I will instruct thee ; 
hearken unto me, and I shall tell thee 
more. 

33 AndI said, Speak on, my Lord. Then 
said he unto me, Thou art sore trou- 
bled in mind for Israel’s sake: lovest 
thou that people better than he that 
made them ? 

34 And I said, No, Lord: but of very 
grief have I spoken: for my reins tor- 
ment me every hour, while I labour to 
comprehend the way of the Most High, 
and to seek out part of his judgement. 

35 And he said unto me, Thou canst 
not. And I said, Wherefore, Lord, or 
whereunto was I born? or why was 
not my mother’s womb then my grave, 
that I might not have seen the tra- 
vail of Jacob, and the wearisome toil 
of the stock of Israel? 

36 And he said unto me, Number me 
them that are not yet come, gather me 
together the drops that are scattered 
abroad, make me the flowers green 

37 again that are withered, open me the 
chambers that are closed, and bring 
me forth the winds that in them are 
shut up, or shew me the image of a 
voice : and then I will declare to thee 
the travail that thou askest to see. 

38 And I said, O Lord that bearest rule, 
who may know these things, but he 
that hath not his dwelling with men ? 

39 Asfor me, I am unwise: how may I 
then speak of these things whereof 
thou askest me? 


40 Then said he unto me, Like as thou 


canst do none of these things that 
I have spoken of, even so canst thou 
not find out my judgement, or the end 
of the love that I have promised unto 
my people. 

41 And I said, But, lo,O Lord, thou hast 


19 

















5. 56. 


II. ESDRAS. 


6. 19. 





1 So the 
Syriac. ~ 





made the promise unto them that be 
in the end: and what shall they do 
that have been before us, or we that 
be now, or they that shall come after 


us? 

42 Andhe said unto me, I will liken my 
judgement unto a ring: like as there 
is no slackness of them that be last, 
even so there is no swiftness of them 
that be first. 

43 So I answered and said, Couldest 
thou not make them to be at once that 
have been made, and that be now, and 
that are for to come; that thou might- 
est shew thy judgement the sooner ? 

44 Then answered he me, and said, The 
creature may not haste above the 
creator; neither may the world hold 
them at once that shall be created 
therein. 

45 And I said, How hast thou said unto 
thy servant, that +thou wilt surely 
make alive at once the creature that 
thou hast created? * If therefore they 
shall be alive at once, and the crea- 
ture shall sustain them: even so it 
might now also support them to be 
present at once. 

46 And he said unto me, Ask the womb 
of a woman, and say unto her, If thou 
bringest forth ten children, why doest 
thou it at several times? pray her 
therefore to bring forth ten children 
at once. 

47 And I said, She cannot: but must do 
it by distance of time, 

48 Then said he unto me, Even so have 
I given the womb of the earth to those 
that be sown therein in their several 

49 times. For like as a young child may 
not bring forth, neither she that is 
grown old bring forth any more, even 
so have I disposed the world which I 
created. 

50 And I asked, and said, Seeing thou 
hast now shewed me the way, I will 
speak before thee: Is our mother, of 
whom thou hast told me, still young? 
or doth she now draw nigh unto age? 

51 He answered me, and said, Ask a 
woman that beareth children, and she 

52 shall tell thee. Say unto her, Where- 
fore are not they whom thou hast now 
brought forth like those that were be- 

53 fore, but less of stature? And she also 
shall answer thee, They that be born 
in the strength of youth are of one 
fashion, and they that are born in the 
time of age, when the womb faileth, 

54are otherwise. Consider therefore 
thou also, how that ye are less of stat- 
ure than those that were before you. 

55 And so are they that come after you 
less than ye, as born of the creature 
which now beginneth to be old, and 
is past the strength of youth. 

56 Then said I, Lord, I beseech thee, if 
IT have found favour in thy sight, shew 
thy servant by whom thou visitest 
thy creature. 





6 And he said unto me, In the begin- 
ning, when the earth was made, before 
the outgoings of the world were fixed, 
or ever the gatherings of the winds 

2 blew, before the voices of the thunder 
sounded and before the flashes of the 
lightning shone, or ever the founda- 

3 tions of paradise were laid, before the 
fair flowers were seen, or ever the 
powers of the earthquake were estab- 
lished, before the innumerable hosts 

4 of angels were gathered together, or 
ever the heights of the air were lifted 
up, before the measures of the firma- 
ment were named, or ever the foot- 

5 stool of Sion + was established, and 
ere the present years were sought out, 
and or ever the imaginations of them 
that now sin were estranged, before 
they were sealed that have gathered 

6 faith for a treasure: then did I con- 
sider these things, and they all were 
made through me alone, and through 
none other: as by me also they shall 
be ended, and by none other. 

7 Then answered I and said, What 
shall be the parting asunder of the 
times? or when shall be the end of 
the first, and the beginning of it that 
followeth? 

8 And he said unto me, From * Abra- 
ham unto 4* Abraham, inasmuch as Ja- 
cob and Esau were born of him, for 
Jacob’s hand held the heel of Esau 

9 from the beginning. For Esau is the 
end of this world, and Jacob is the 

10 beginning of it that followeth. ° The 
beginning of a man is his hand, and 
the end of a man is his heel; between 
the heel and the hand seek thou 
nought else, Esdras. 

11 I answered then and said, O Lord 
that bearest rule, if I have found 

12 favour in thy sight, I beseech thee, 
shew thy servant the end of thy to- 
kens, whereof thou shewedst me part 
the last night. ; 

13 So he answered and said unto me, 
Stand up upon thy feet, and thou shalt 

14 hear a mighty sounding voice; and 
if the place whereon thou standest be 

15 greatly moved, when it speaketh be 
not thou afraid: for the word is of the 
end, and the foundations of the earth 

16 shall understand, that the speech is 
of them: they shall tremble and be 
moved: for they know that their end 
must be changed. 

17 And it happened, that when I had 

- heard it I stood up upon my feet, and 
hearkened, and, behold, there was a 
voice that spake, and the sound of it 
was like the sound of many waters. 

18 And it said, Behold, the days come, 
and it shall be that when I draw nigh 
to visit them that dwell upon the 

19 earth, and when I shall make inquisi- 
tion of them that have done hurt un- 
justly with their unrighteousness, and 
when the affliction of Sion shall be 


20 


h — 
aps for 
Abram. 
4 An- 
other 
reading 
is, Isaac. 


5 So the 

















6. 39. 


II. ESDRAS. 














20 fulfilled, and when the seal-shall be 
set upon the world that is to pass 
away, then will I shew these tokens: 
the books shall be opened before the 
firmament, and all shall see together: 

21and the children of a year old shall 
speak with their voices, the women 
with child shall bring forth untimely 
children at three or four months, and 

22 they shall live,and dance. And sud- 
denly shall the sown places appear 

--unsown, the full storehouses shall 

23 suddenly be found empty: and the 

trumpet shall give a sound, which 
when every man heareth, they shall 

24 be suddenly afraid. At that time shall 
friends make war one against another 
like enemies, and the earth shall stand 
in fear with those that dwell therein, 
the springs of the fountains shallstand 
still, so that for three hours they shall 

25 notrun. And it shall be that whoso- 
ever remaineth after all these things 
that I have told thee of, he shall be 
saved, and shall see my salvation, and 

26 the end of my world. And they shall 
see the men that have been taken up, 
who have not tasted death from their 
birth: and the heart of the inhabitants 
shall be changed, and turned into an- 

27 other meaning. For evil shall be blot- 
ted out, and deceit shall be quenched ; 

28 and faith shall flourish, and corruption 
shall be overcome, and the truth, 
which hath been so long without 
fruit, shall be declared. 

29 And when he talked with me, behold, 
by little and little the place whereon I 

30 stood ! rocked to and fro. And he said 
unto me, These things came I to 

3ishew thee *this night. If therefore 
thou wilt pray yetagain, and fastseven 
days more, I shall yet * tell thee great- 

32er things than these. For thy voice 
hath surely beenheard before the Most 
High: for the Mighty hath seen thy 
righteous dealing, he hath seen afore- 
time also thy chastity, which thou 

33 hast had ever since thy youth. And 
therefore hath he sent me to shew 
thee all these things, and to say unto 
thee, Be of good comfort, and fear not. 

34 And be not hasty in regard of the for- 
mer times, to think vain things, that 
thou mayest not hasten in the latter 


times. 

35 And it came to pass after this, that 
I wept again, and fasted seven days 
in like manner, that I might fulfil 
the three weeks which he told me. 

36 And in the eighth night was my heart 
vexed within me again, and I began 

37 to speak before the Most High. For 
my spirit was greatly set on fire, and 

38 my soul was in distress. And I said, 
O Lord, of a truth thou spakest at 
the beginning of the creation, upon 
the first day, and saidst thus; Let 
heaven and earth be made; and thy 

39 word perfected the work. And then 


21 





was the spirit hovering, and darkness 
and silence were on every side; the 
sound of man’s voice was not yet‘. 
40 Then commandedst thou a ray of-light 
to be brought forth of thy treasures, 
that then thy works might appear. 
41Upon the second day again thou 
madest the spirit of the firmament 
and commandedst it to part asunder, 
and to make a division betwixt the 
waters, that the one part might go up, 
42 and the other remain beneath. Upon 
the third day thou didst command that 
the waters should be gathered together 
in the seventh part of the earth: six 
parts didst thou dry up, and keep 
them, to the intent that of these some 
being both planted and tilled might 
43 serve before thee. For as soon as 
thy word went forth the work was 
44 done. For immediately there came 
forth great and innumerable fruit, and 
manifold pleasures for the taste, and 
fiowers ofinimitablecolour,and odours 
of most exquisite smell: and this was 
45 done the third day. Upon the fourth 
day thou commandedst that the sun 
should shine, and the moon give her 
light, and the stars should be in their 
46 order: and gavest them a charge to 
do service unto man, that was to 
47 be made. Upon the fifth day thou 
saidst unto the seventh part, where 
the water was gathered together, that 
it should bring forth living creatures, 
fowls and fishes: and so it came to 
48 pass, that the dumb water and with- 
out life brought forth living things as 
it was bidden, that the peoples might 
therefore praise thy wondrous works. 
49 Then didst thou preserve two living 
creatures, the one thou calledst * Be- 
hemoth, and the other thou calledst 


50° Leviathan: and thou didst separate 


the one from the other: for theseventh 
part, namely, where the water was ga- 
thered together, might not hold them 
51 both. Unto > Behemoth thou gavest 
one part, which was dried up on the 
third day, that he should dwell in the 
same, ®* wherein are a thousand hills: 
52 but unto ® Leviathan thou gavest the 
seventh part, namely, the moist; and 
thou hast Kept them to be devoured 
53 of whom thou wilt, and when. But 
upon the sixth day thou gavest com- 
mandment unto the earth, that it 
should bring forth before thee cattle, 
54 beasts, and creeping things: and over 
these Adam, whom thou ordainedst 
lord over all the works that thou hast 
made: of him come we all, the people 
55 whom thou hast chosen. All this have 
I spoken before thee, O Lord, because 
thou hast said that for our sakes thou 
56 madest ‘this world. As for the other 
nations, which also come of Adam, 
thou hast said that they are nothing, 
and are like unto spittle: and thou 
hast likened the abundance of them 


5 Ps. L 
10. 


6 Ps. 
Ixxiv. 14. 

















7 18. 


II. ESDRAS. 


% 


[38.] 








unto a drop that falleth from a vessel. 
57 And now, O Lord, behold, these na- 
tions, which are reputed as nothing, 
58 be lords over us, and devour us. But 
we thy people, whom thou hast called 
thy firstborn, thy only begotten, and 
thy fervent lover, are given into their 
59 hands. If the world now be made for 
our sakes, why do we not possess for 
an inheritance our world? how long 
shall this endure ? 
'7 And when I had made an end of 
speaking these words, there was sent 
unto me the angel which had been 


2 sent unto me the nights afore : and he 


said unto me, Up, Esdras, and hear 
the words that Iam come to tell thee. 

3 And I said, Speak on, my Lord. Then 
said he unto me, There is asea set in 

a wide place, that it might be + broad 
4and vast. But the entrance thereof 
shall be set in a narrow place so as to 

5 be like a river; whoso then should 
desire to go into the sea to look upon 

it, or to rule it, if he went not through 
the narrow, how could he come into 

6 the broad? Another thing also: There 
is a city builded and set in a plain 
country, and full of all good things; 

7 but the entrance thereof is narrow, 
and is set in a dangerous place to fall, 
having a fire on the right hand, and on 

8 the left a deep water : and there is one 
only path between them both, even be- 
tween the fire and the water, so small 
that there could but one man go there 

9 at once. If this city now be given unto 
a man for an inheritance, if the heir 
pass not the danger set before him, 
how shall he receive his inheritance? 
10 And I said, It is so, Lord. Then said 
he unto me, Even so also is Israel’s 
11 portion. Because for their sakes I 
made the world: and when Adam 
transgressed my statutes, then was 
12 decreed that now is done. Then 
were the entrances of this world made 
narrow, and sorrowful and toilsome : 
they are but few and evil, full of per- 
13 ils, and charged with great toils. For 
the entrances of the greater world 
are wide and sure, and bring forth 
14 fruit of immortality. If then they 
that live enter not these strait and 
yain things, they can never receive 
15 those that are laid up for them. Now 
therefore why disquietest thou thy- 
self, seeing thou art but a corruptible 
man?and why art thou moved, where- 
16as thou art but mortal? and why 
hast thou not considered in thy mind 
that which is to come, rather than 
17 that which is present? Then answer- 
ed I and said, O Lord that bearest 
rule, lo, thou hast ordained in thy law, 
that the righteous should inherit 
these things, but that the ungodly 
18 should perish. The righteous there- 
fore shall suffer strait things, and hope 
for wide: but they that have done 





wickedly * have suffered the strait 
things, and yet shall not see the wide. 
19 And he said unto me, * Thou art not 
a judge above God, neither hast thou 
understanding above the Most High. 
20 Yea, rather let many that now be 
perish, than that the law of God which 
21is set before them be despised. For 
God straitly commanded such as 
came, even as they came, what they 
should do to live, and what they 
should observe to avoid punishment. 
22 Nevertheless they were not obedient 
unto him ; but spake against him, and 
imagined for themselves vain things; 
23 and framed cunning devices of wick- 
edness ;and said moreover of the Most 
High, that he is not; and knew not 
24 his ways: but they despised his law, 
and denied his covenants; they have 
not been faithful to his statutes, and 
25 have not performed his works. There- 
fore, Esdras, for the empty are empty 
things, and for the full are the full 
26 things. For behold, the time shall 
come, and it shall be, when these 
tokens, of which I told thee before, 
shall come to pass, that the bride 
shall appear, even the city coming 
forth, and she shall be seen, that now is 
27 withdrawn from the earth. And who- 
soever is delivered from the foresaid 
evils, the same shall see my wonders. 


28 For my son Jesus shall be revealed |- 


with those that be with him, and shall 
rejoice them that remain four hundred 
29 years. After these years shall my son 
Christ die, and all that have the breath 
30 of * life. And the world shall be turned 
into the old silence seven days, like as 
in the first beginning: so that no man 
381 shall remain. And after seven days 
the world, that yet awaketh not, shall 
be raised up, and that shall die that 
32is corruptible. And the earth shall 
restore those that are asleep in her, 


and so shall the dust those that dwell ; 


therein in silence, and the © secret 
places shall deliver those souls that 
33 were committed unto them. And the 
Most High shall be revealed upon the 
seat of judgement °®, and compassion 
shall pass away, and longsuffering 
34 shall be withdrawn: but judgement 
only shall remain, truth shall stand, 
35 and faith shall wax strong: and the 
work shall follow, and the reward 
shall be shewed, and good deeds shall 
awake, and wicked deeds shall not 
[36] sleep.?7 And the § pit of torment 
shall appear, and over against it shall 
be the place of rest: and the furnace 
of *hell shall be shewed, and over 
against it the paradise of delight. 
[37] And then shall the Most High say 
to the nations that are raised from 
the dead, See ye and understand 
whom ye have denied, or whom ye 
have not served, or whose command- 
[38] ments ye have despised. Look on 


22 





2 Ac- 
cording 
to some 
authori- 
ties, have 


and the 
end shall 




















clay 
ee ‘And I said, Lord, how shall this 


rsa ‘And he said unto me, Not only 
this, but ask the earth, and she shall 
tell thee; intreat her, and she shall 

(55) declare unto thee. For thou shalt 
say unto her, Thou bringest forth 
gold and silver and brass, and iron 

[56] also and lead and clay: but silver 
is more abundant than gold, and brass 
than silver, and iron than brass, lead 

[57] thaniron, andclaythanlead. Judge 
thou therefore which things are pre- 
cious and to be desired, whatso is 
abundant or what is rare. 

{58] And I said, O Lord that bearest 





Fi [58.] II. ESDRAS. 1h (75. | 
this side and on that: here is delight rule, that which is plentiful is of less 
and rest, and there fire and terments. worth, for that which is more rare is 

2 So the Thus ‘shall he speak unto them in more precious. 
chief [39] the day of judgement: This is a| [59] And he answered me, and said, 
Oriental | F40] day that hath neither sun, nor| * Weigh within thyself the things that 
The moon, nor stars, neither cloud, nor thou hast thought, for he that hath 
ae. thunder, nor lightning, neither wind, what is hard to get rejoiceth over 
shalt nor water, nor air, neither darkness, | [60] him that hath what is plentiful. So 
thou [41] nor evening, nor morning, neither also is the *judgement which I have 
_—. summer, nor spring, nor heat, nor promised: for I will rejoice over the 
2 Or, 2 winter, neither frost, nor cold, nor few that shall be saved, inasmuch as 
storm {[42}hail, nor rain, nor dew, neither these are they that have made my 
noon, nor night, nor dawn, neither glory now to prevail, and of whom 
shining, nor brightness, nor light, save | [61] my name is now named. And I 
only the splendour of the glory of the will not grieve over the multitude of 
Most High, whereby all shall see the them that perish; for these are they 

[43] things that are set before them: for that are now like unto vapour, and 
it shall endure as it were a week of are become as flame and smoke ; they 

[44] years. This is my judgement and are set on fire and burn hotly, and 
the ordinance thereof; but to thee are quenched. 
only have I shewed these things. [62] And I answered and said, O thou 

(45] And I answered, I said even then, earth, wherefore hast thou brought 
O Lord, and I say now: Blessed are forth, if the mind is made out of dust, 
they that be now alive and keep the | [63] like as all other created things ? For 

[46] statutes ordained of thee. But as it were better that the dust itself had 
touching them for whom my prayer been unborn, so that the mind might 
was made, what shall I say? for who | [64] not have been made therefrom. But 
is there of them that be alive that now the mind groweth with us, and 
hath not sinned, and who of the sons by reason of this we are tormented, 
of men that hath not transgressed | [65] because we perish and know it. Let 

[47] thy covenant? Andnow I see, that the race of men lament and the beasts 
the world to come shall bring delight of the field be glad; let all that are 
to few, but torments unto many. born lament, but let the fourfooted 

[48] For an evil heart hath grown up in | [66] beasts and the cattle rejoice. For 
us, which hath led us astray from itis far better with them than with 
these statutes, and hath brought us us; for they look not for judgement, 
into corruption and into the ways of neither do they know of torments or 
death, hath shewed us the paths of of salvation promised unto them after 
perdition and removed us far from | [67] death. For what doth it profit us, 
life; and that, not a few only, but that we shall be preserved alive, but 
well nigh all that have been created. | [68] yet be afflicted with torment? For all 

[49] And he answered me, and said, that are born are * defiled with iniqui- 
Hearken unto me, and I will instruct ties, and are full of sins and laden with 
thee; and I will admonish thee yet | [69] offences: and if after death we were 

[50] again: for this cause the Most High not to come into judgement, peradven- 
hath not made one world, but two. ture it had been better for us. 

[51] For whereas thou hast said that the | [70] And he answered me, and said, 
just are not many, but few, and the When the Most High made the world, 
ungodly abound, hear the answer and Adam and all them that came of 

([52]thereunto. If thou have choice him, he first prepared the judgement 

3 The stones exceeding few, * wilt thou set and the things that pertain unto the 
ad for thee over against them according | [71] judgement. And now understand 
corrupt. to ed number things of lead and from thine own words, for thou hast 


said that the mind groweth with us. 
[72] They therefore that dwell upon the 
earth shall be tormented for this rea- 
son, that having understanding they 
have wrought iniquity, and receiving 
commandments have not kept them, 
and having obtained a law they dealt 
unfaithfully with that which they re- 
[73] ceived. What then will they have 
to say in the judgement, or how will 
[74] they answer in the last times? For 
how great a time hath the Most High 
been longsuffering with them that 
inhabit the world, and not for their 
sakes, but because of the times which 
he hath foreordained! 
[75] And Ianswered and said, If I have 


23 




















7. [92.] Il. ESDRAS. 7. [104.] 
found grace in thy sight, O Lord, shew thought which was fashioned together 
this also unto thy servant, whether with them, that it might not lead 
after death, even now when every one them astray from life into death. 
of us giveth up his soul, we shall be | [93] The second order, because they see 
kept in rest until those times come, in the perplexity in which the souls of 
which thou shalt renew the creation, the ungodly wander, and the punish- 
or whether we shall be tormented | [94] mentthatawaiteththem. Thethird 
forthwith. order, they see the witness which he 
[76] And he answered me, and said, I that fashioned them beareth con- 
will shew thee this also; but join not cerning them, that while they lived 
thyself with them that are scorn- they kept the law which was given 
ers, nor number thyself with them | [95]them in trust. The fourth order, 
[77] that are tormented. For thou hast they understand the rest which, being 
a treasure of good works laid up with gathered in their chambers, they now 
the Most High, but it shall not be enjoy with great quietness, guarded 
shewed thee until the last times. by angels, and the glory that awaiteth 
[78] For concerning death the teaching | [96] them in the lastdays. The fifth or- 
is: When the determinate sentence der, they rejoice, seeing how they have 
hath gone forth from the Most High now escaped from that which is cor- 
that a man should die, as the spirit ruptible, and how they shall inherit 
leaveth the body to return again to that which is to come, while they see 
him who gave it, it adoreth the glory moreover the straitness and the # pain- 
[79] of the Most High first of all. And fulness from which they have been de- 
if it be one of those that have been livered, and the large room which they 
scorners and have not kept the way shall receive with joy and immor- 
of the Most High, and that have de- | [97] tality. .The sixth order, when it is 
spised his law, and that hate them that shewed unto them how their face shall 
1 An- [80] fear 1God, these spirits shall not shine as the sun, and how they shall 
other enter into habitations, but shall wan- be made like unto the light of the 
ig der and be in torments forthwith, ever stars, being henceforth incorruptible. 

grieving and sad, in seven ways. | [98] The seventh order, which is greater 

[81] The first way, because they have than all the aforesaid orders, because 
despised the law of the Most High. they shall rejoice with confidence, and 

[82] The second way, because they can- because they shall be bold without 
not now make a good returning that confusion, and shall be glad without 

[83] they may live. The third way, they fear, for they hasten to behold the 
shall see the reward laid up for them face of him whom in their lifetime 
that have believed the covenants of they served, and from whom they 

[84] the Most High. The fourth way, shall receive their reward in glory. 
they shall consider the torment laid | [99] This is the order of the souls of the 
up for themselves in the last days. just, as from henceforth #is announ- 

[85] The fifth way, they shall see the ced unto them, and aforesaid are the 
dwelling places of the others, guarded ways of torture which they that would 

[86] by angels, with great quietness. The not give heed shall suffer from hence- 

2 The sixth way, they shall see ? how forth- | [100] forth. And I answered and said, 
passage with some of them shall pass into Shall time therefore be given unto the 
rupt. | [87] torment. The seventh way, which souls after they are separated from 
3 Lat. is *more grievous than all the afore- the bodies, that they may see that 
greater. said ways, because they shall pine whereof thou hast spoken unto me? 

away in confusion and be consumed | [101] And he said, Their freedom shall 
4 The with +shame, and shall be withered be for seven days, that for seven days 
Latin up by fears, seeing the glory of the they may see the things whereof thou 
scans. Most High before whom they have hast been told, and afterwards they 

sinned whilst living, and before whom shall be gathered together in their 

they shall be judged in the last times. | [102] habitations. And I answered and 

[88] Now this is the order of those who said, If I have found favour in thy 
have kept the ways of the Most High, sight, shew further unto me thy ser- 
when they shall be separated from the vant whether in the day of judgement 

[89] corruptible vessel. In the time 4that the just will be able to intercede for 
they dwelt therein they painfully the ungodly or to intreat the Most 
served the Most High, and were in | [103] Highfor them, whether fathers for 
jeopardy every hour, that they might children, or children for parents, or 
keep the law of the lawgiver perfectly. brethren for brethren, or kinsfolk for 

[90] Wherefore this is the teaching con- their next of kin, or °friends for them | s So the 

[91] cerning them: First of all they shall | [104] that are most dear. And he an- pica 
see with great joy the glory of him swered me, and said, Since thou hast | “°™0"* 
who taketh them up, for they shall found favour in my sight, I will shew 

[92] have rest in seven orders. The first thee this also: The day of judgement | ¢ The 
order, because they have striven with is °a day of decision, and displayeth | batn 
great labour to overcome the evil unto all the seal of truth; even as now | bold day. 





24 

















II. ESDRAS. 








: a father sendeth not his son, er a son eth without decay, wherein is abun- 


b “2 So the his father, or a master his slave, or a dance and healing, but we shall not 
3 Greptal 1friend him that is most dear, that in | 54 enter into it, for we have walked in 
f MS cg his stead he may ? be sick, or sleep, or | 55 unpleasant places? And that the 
e Latin [105] eat, or be healed: so never shall faces of them which have used absti- 
: a any one pray for another * in that day, nence shall shine above the stars, 
= stand. neither shall one lay a burden on an- whereas our faces shall be blacker 
ra 3 So the other, for then shall all bear every | 56 than darkness? For while we lived 
V3 Syriac. one his own righteousness or unright- and committed iniquity, we considered 
ra Latin eousness. not what we should have to suffer 
“) omits | 36 And I answered and said, How do after death. 
bs day... we now find that first Abraham pray- | 57 Then he answered and said, This is 
another. ed for the people of Sodom, and Moses the * condition of the battle, which 


[106] for the fathers that sinned in the wil- man that is born upon the earth shall 
[107] 37 derness: and Joshua after him for | 58 fight; that,if he be overcome, he shall 
108] 38 Israel in the days of *Achar: and suffer as thou hast said: but if he get 
* ma Samuel ‘in the days of Saul; and the victory, he shall receive the thing 
See Josh. David for the plague: and Solomon | 59 that Isay. For this is the way where- 
vii. 1. for them that should worship in the of Moses spake unto the people while 
[109] | 39 sanctuary: and Elijah for those that he lived, saying, *Choose thee life, 
received rain; and for the dead, that | 60 that thou mayest live. Nevertheless 
[110] | 40 he might live: and Hezekiah for the they believed not him, nor yet the 


people in the days of Sennacherib: prophets after him, no, nor me which 

[111] | 41and many for many? If therefore | 61 have spoken unto them; so that there 
5 So the now, when corruption is grown up, shall not be such heaviness in their 
and unrighteousness increased, the destruction, as there shall be joy over 
other . righteous have prayed for the ungodly, them that are persuaded to salva- 


faa wherefore shall it not be so then also? tion. 
Latin 42° He answered me, and said, This pre- | 62 I answered then and said, I know, 
(112) sent world is not the end; the full Lord, that the Most High is now 


Pao glory abideth ° not therein: therefore called merciful, in that he hath mercy 
: phe have they who were able prayed for upon them which are not yet come 


43 the weak. But the day of judgement | 63 into the world; and compassionate, 

{113]| shall be the endof this time,*andthe| in that he hath compassion upon 
a. beginning of the immortality for to | 64 those that turn to his law; and long- 
Latin. come, wherein corruption is passed suffering, for that he long suffereth 
(114] | 44 away, intemperance is at an end, in- those that have sinned, as his crea- 
fidelity is cut off, but righteousness | 65tures; and bountiful, for that he is 
is grown, and truth is sprung up. ready to give rather than to exact; 
[115] | 45 Then shall no man be able to have | 66 and of great mercy, for that he mul- 


mercy on him that is cast in judge- tiplieth more and more mercies to 
ment, nor to thrust down him that them that are present, and that are 
hath gotten the victory. past, and also to them which are to 


[116] | 46 Lanswered then and said, This is my | 67 come; (for if he multiplied not his 
first and last saying, that it had been mercies, the world would not continue 
7 See ch. better that the earth had not 7 given | 68 with them that dwell therein;) and 
iii. 5. thee Adam: or else, when it had given one that forgiveth, for if he did not 
him, to have restrained him from sin- forgive of his goodness, that they 
(117]|47ning. For what profit is it for all which have committed iniquities 
that are in this present time to live in might be eased of them, the ten thou- 
heaviness, and after death to look for sandth part of men would not remain 
[118] | 48 punishment? O thou Adam, what | 69 living; and a judge, for if he did not 
hast thou done? for though it was ~pardon them that were created by 
thou that sinned, the evil is not fallen his word,and blot out the multitude 
on thee alone, but upon all of us that | 70 of #° offences, there would peradven- 
ed [119] | 49 come of thee. For what profit is it ture be very few left in an innumer- 
| unto us,if there be promised us an able multitude. 

a immortal time, whereas we have done | @ And he answered me, and said, The 
{120} | 50the works that bring death? And Most High hath made this world for 
that there is promised us an everlast- many, but the world to come for few. 
ing hope, whereas ourselves most| 21 will tell thee now a similitude, Es- 
[121] | 51miserably are become vain? And dras; As when thou askest the earth, 
; that there are reserved habitations of it shall say unto thee, that it giveth 

health and safety, whereas we have very much mould whereof earthen 
[122] | 52 lived wickedly? And that the glory vessels are made, and little dust that 
of the Most High shall defend them gold cometh of: even so is the course 
which have led a pure life, whereas | 3 of the present world. There be many 
we have walked in the most wicked created, but few shall be saved. 
[123] | 53 ways of all? And that there shall be | 4 And I answered and said, Swallow 
shewed a paradise, whose fruit endur- down understanding then, O my soul, 


] 25 C+ 


























8. 22. 


II. ESDRAS. 


8. 43. 





1 So the 
Syriac. 
e 

Latin 
is in- 
correct. 


2 So the 
Syriac. 


3 So the 
Syriac. 
The 
Latin 

is im- 
perfect. 


4 Or, in- 
habitest 
eternity 


Oriental 
versions, 





5 and let my heart devour wisdom. For 
thou tart come hither without thy 
will, and departest when thou would- 
est not: for there is given thee no 
longer space than only to live a short 

6time. O Lord, that art over us, suffer 
thy servant, that we may pray before 
thee, and give us seed unto our heart, 
and culture to our understanding, that 
there may come fruit of it, whereby 
every one shall live that is corrupt, 
who beareth the 2 likeness of a man. 

7 For thou art alone, and we all one 
workmanship of thine hands, like as 

8thou hast said. Forasmuch as thou 
quickenest the body thatis fashioned 
now in the womb, and givest it mem- 
bers, thy creature is preserved in fire 
and water, and nine months doth 
thy workmanship endure thy creature 

9which is created in her. But that 
which keepeth and that which is kept 
shall both be kept *by thy keeping: 
and when the womb giveth up again 
10 that which hath grown in it, thou 
hast commanded that out of the parts 
of the body, that is to say, out of the 
breasts, be given milk, which is the 
11 fruit of the breasts, that the thing 
which is fashioned may be nourished 
for a time, and afterwards thou shalt 
12 order it in thy merey. Yea, thou 
hast brought it up in thy righteous- 
ness, and nurtured it in thy law, and 
13 corrected it with thy judgement. And 
thou shalt mortify it as thy creature, 
14 and quicken itas thy work. If there- 
fore thou shalt ‘lightly and suddenly 
destroy him which with so great la- 
bour was fashioned by thy command- 
ment, to what purpose was he made ? 
15 Now therefore I will speak; touching 
man in general, thou knowest best; 
but touching thy people will I speak, 
16 for whose sake I am sorry; and for 
thine inheritance, for whose cause I 
mourn; and for Israel, for whom I 
am heavy; and for the seed of Jacob, 
17 for whose sake I am troubled; there- 
fore will I begin to pray before thee 
for myself and for them: for I see 
the falls of us that dwell in the land; 
18 but I have heard the swiftness of the 
19 judgement which is to come. There- 
fore hear my voice, and understand 
my saying, and I will speak before 
thee. 

The beginning of the words of Es- 
dras, before he was taken up. And 
he said, 

20 O Lord, thou that + abidest for ever, 
whose eyes are exalted, and whose 
21 chambers are in the air; whose throne 
is inestimable; whose glory may not 
be comprehended; before whom the 
hosts of angels stand with trembling, 
22at whose bidding they are changed 
to wind and fire; whose word is sure, 
and sayings constant; whose ordi- 
nance is strong, and commandment 





23 fearful; whose look drieth up the 
depths, and whose indignation mak- 
eth the mountains to melt away, and 

24 whose truth beareth witness: hear, O 
Lord, the prayer of thy servant, and 
give ear to the petition of thy handy- 

25 work; attend unto my words, for so 
long as Llive I willspeak, and so long 
as [have understanding I will answer. 

26 O look not upon the sins of thy people; 
but on them that have served thee in 

27 truth. Regard not the doings of them 
that deal wickedly, but of them that 
have kept thy covenants in affliction. 

28 Think not upon those that have walk- 
ed feignedly before thee ; but remem- 
ber them which have willingly known 

29thy fear. Let it not be thy will to 
destroy them which have lived like 
cattle; but look upon them that have 

30 * clearly taught thy law. Take thou 
no indignation at them which are 
deemed worse than beasts; but love 
them that have alway put their trust 

31in thy glory. For we and our fathers 
have * passed our lives in * ways that 
bring death: but thou because of us 

32 sinners °art called merciful. For if 
thou hasta desire to have mercy upon 
us, then shalt thou be called merciful, 
to us, namely, that have no works of 

33 righteousness. For the just, which 
have many good works laid up with 
thee, shall for their own deeds receive 

34 reward. For what is man, that thou 
shouldest take displeasure at him? or 
what is a corruptible race, that thou 

35 shouldest be so bitter toward it? For 
in truth there is no man among them 
that be born, but he hath dealt wick- 
edly; and among them ? that have 
lived there is none which hath not 

36 done amiss. For in this, O Lord, thy 
righteousness and thy goodness shall 
be declared, if thou be merciful unto 


them which have no store of good! La 


works. 

37 Then answered he me, and. said, 
Some things hast thou spoken aright, 
and according unto thy words so shall 

38 it come to pass. For indeed I will 
not think on the fashioning of them 
which have sinned, or their death, 
their judgement, or their destruction: 

39 but I will rejoice over the framing of 
the righteous, their pilgrimage also, 
and the salvation, and the reward, that 

40 they shall have. Like therefore as I 

41 have spoken, so shall it be. For as 
the husbandman soweth much seed 
upon the ground, and planteth many 
trees, and yet not all that is sown 
shall 1 come up in due season, neither 
shall all that is planted take root: 
even so they that are sown in the 
world shall not all be saved. 

42 I answered then and said, If I have 
found favour, let me speak before 

43 thee. Forasmuch as the husband- 
man’s seed, if it come not up, seeing 


26 





10 So the 
Syriac. 


11 Lat. 
be saved. 








a 








II. ESDRAS. 


9. 19. 








that it hath not received thy rain in 
due season, or if it be corrupted 
through too much rain, ?so perish- 

44 eth; likewise man, which is formed 
with thy hands, and is called thine 
own image, because he is made like 
unto thee, for whose sake thou hast 
formed all things, even him hast thou 
made like unto the husbandman’s 

45 seed. Be not wroth with us, but spare 
thy people, and have mercy upon thine 
inheritance ; for thou hast mercy upon 
thine own creation. 


46 Then answered he me, and said, 


Things present are for them that now 
be, and things to come for such as 
47 shall be hereafter. For thou comest 
far short that thou shouldest be able 

to love my creature more than I. But 
thou hast brought thyself full nigh 
-unto the unrighteous. Let this never 
48be. Yet in this shalt thou be admi- 
49 rable before the Most High; in that 
thou hast humbled thyself, as it be- 
cometh thee, and hast not judged thy- 
self worthy to be among the righteous, 
50 so as to be much glorified. For many 
grievous miseries Shall befall them 
that in the last times dwell in the 
world, because they have walked in 
51 great pride. But understand thou for 
thyself, and of such as be like thee 
52 seek out the glory. For unto you is 
paradise opened, the tree of life is 
planted, the time to come is prepared, 
plenteousness is made ready, a city is 
builded, and rest is allowed, goodness 

is perfected, wisdom being perfect 
53 aforehand. The root of evil is sealed 
up from you, weakness is done away 
from you, and * [death] is hidden ; hell 

_ and corruption are fied into forgetful- 

54 ness: sorrows are passed away, and 
in the end is shewed the treasure of 

55 immortality. Therefore ask thou no 
more questions concerning the multi- 

56 tude of them that perish. For when 
they had received liberty, they de- 
spised the Most High, thought scorn 
of his law, and forsook his ways. 

57 Moreover they have trodden down his 

58 righteous, and said in their heart, that 
there is no God; yea, and that know- 

59 ing they must die. For as the things 
aforesaid shall receive you, so thirst 
and pain which are prepared shall re- 
ceive them: for the Most High willed 
‘not that men should come to nought : 

60 but they which be created have them- 
selves defiled the name of him that 
made them, and were unthankful unto 

61 him which prepared life forthem. And 
therefore is my judgement now at 

62 hand, which I have not shewed unto 
7 men, but unto thee, and a few like 

ee. 

63 Then answered I and said, Behold, 
O Lord, now hast thou shewed me 
the multitude of the wonders, which 
thou wilt do in the last times: but 





at what time, thou hast not shewed 
me. 

9 And he answered me, and said, Mea- 
sure thou diligently within thyself: 
and when thou seest that a certain 
part of the signs are past, which have 

2 been told thee beforehand, then shalt 

thou understand, that it is the very 
time, wherein the Most High will visit 
the world which was made by him. 

3 And when there shall be seen in the 
world earthquakes, disquietude of 
peoples, devices of nations, wavering 

4 of leaders, disquietude of princes, then 

shalt thou understand, that the Most 
High spake of these things from the, 
days that were aforetime from the 

5 beginning. For like as of all that is 

made in the world, the beginning ¢is 

6 evident, and the end manifest; so also 

are the times of the Most High: the 
beginnings are manifest in wonders 
and mighty works, and the end in 

7 effects and signs. And every one that 

shall be saved, and shall be able to 
escape by his works, or by faith, 

8 whereby he hath believed, shall be 

preserved from the said perils, and 
shall see my salvation in my land, and 
within my borders, which I have sanc- 

9 tified for me from the beginning. Then 

shall they be amazed, which now have 
abused my ways: and they that have 
east them away despitefully shall 

10 dwell in torments. For as many as ir 
their life have received benefits, and 

11 yet have not known me; and as many 
as have scorned my law, while they 
had yet liberty, and, when as yet place 
of repentance was open unto them, 

12 understood not, but despised * it; the 
same must know *i¢ after death by 

13 torment. And therefore be thou no 
longer curious how the ungodly shall 
be punished; but inquire how the 
righteous shall be saved, ® they whose 
the world is, and for whom the world 
was created. 

And I answered and said, I have 
said before, and now do speak, and 
will speak it also hereafter, that there 
be more of them which perish, than 
16 of them which shall be saved: like as 

a wave is greater than a drop. 

17 And he answered me, saying, Like as 
the field is, so is also the seed ; and as 
the flowers be, such are the colours 
also; and such as the work is, such 
also is the 7 judgement thereon ; and as 
is the husbandman, so is his threshing- 
floor also. For there was a time in 

18 the world, even then when I was pre- 


14 
15 


5 Or, me 


paring for them that now live, before | jas 


the world was made for them to dwell 
in; and then no man spake against 
19 me, for * there was not any: but now 


they which are created in this world | § 


that is prepared, both * with a table 
that faileth not, and a law which is 





unsearchable, are corrupted in their 


27 








* 





9. 38. 


II. ESDRAS. 


10. 13. 








20manners. So I considered my world, 
and, lo, it was destroyed, and myearth, 
and, lo, it was in peril, because of the 

21 devices that were come into it. And I 
saw, and spared them, but not greatly, 
and saved me a grape out of a cluster, 
and a plant out of 1a great forest. 

22 Let the multitude perish then, which 
was born in vain; and let my grape 
be saved, and my plant; for with 
great labour have I made them per- 

23 fect. Nevertheless if thou wilt cease 
yet seven days more, (howbeit thou 

24 shalt not fast in them, but shalt go 
into a field of flowers, where no house 
is builded, and eat only of the flowers 
of the field; and thou shalt taste no 
flesh, and shalt drink no wine, but 

25 shalt eat flowers only;) and pray 
unto the Most High continually, then 
will I come and talk with thee. 

26 So I went my way, like as he com- 
manded me, into the field which is 
called ? Ardat; and there I sat among 
the flowers, and did eat of the herbs 
of the field, and the meat of the same 

27 satisfied me. And it came to pass 
after seven days that I lay upon the 
grass, and my heart was vexed again, 

28 like as before: and my mouth was 
opened, and I began to speak before 

29 the Most High, and said, O Lord, thou 
didst shew thyself among us, unto 
our fathers in the wilderness, when 

-» they went forth out of Egypt, and 
when they came into the wilderness, 
where no man treadeth and that bear- 

30 eth no fruit; and thou didst say, Hear 
me, thou Israel; and mark my words, 

310 seed of Jacob. For, behold; I sow 
my law in you, and it shall bring forth 
fruit in you, and ye shall be glorified 

32 in it for ever. 
received the law, kept it not, and ob- 
served not the statutes: and the fruit 
of the law did not perish, neither could 

33 it, for it was thine; yet they that re- 
ceived it perished, because they kept 
not the thing that was sown in them. 

34 And, lo, it is a custom, that when the 
ground hath received seed, or the sea 
a ship, or any vessel meat or drink, 
and when it cometh to pass that that 

35 which is sown, or that which is launch- 
ed, or the things which have been 
received, should come to an end, these 
come to an end, but the receptacles 
remain: yet with us it hath not hap- 

36 pened so. For we that have received 
the law shall perish by sin, and our 

37 heart also which received it. Not- 
withstanding the law perisheth not, 
but remaineth in its honour. 

38 And when I spake these things in 
my heart, I looked about me with 
mine eyes, and upon the right side I 
saw a woman, and, behold, she mourn- 
ed and wept with a loud voice, and 
was much grieved in mind, and her 





clothes were rent, and she had ashes 


But our fathers, which’ 





39upon her head. Then let I my 
thoughts go wherein I was occupied, 
40and turned me unto her, and said 
unto her, Wherefore. weepest thou? 
and why art thou grieved in thy mind? 
41 And she said unto me, Let me alone, 
my lord, that I may bewail myself, 
and add unto my sorrow, for I am 
sore vexed in my mind, and brought 
very low. 
42 And I said unto her, What aileth 
43 thee? tellme. She said unto me, I thy 
servant was barren, and had no child, 
though I had a husband thirty years. 
44 And every hour and every day these 
thirty years did I make my prayer to 
45 the Most High day and night. And 
it came to pass after thirty years that 
God heard me thine handmaid, and 
looked upon my low estate, and con- 
sidered my trouble, and gave me a 
son: and I rejoiced in him greatly, I 
and my husband, and all my * neigh- 
bours: and we gave great honour 
46 unto the Mighty. And I nourished 
47 him with great travail. So when he 
grew up, and I came to take him a 
10 wife, I made a feast day. And it so 
came to pass, that when my son was 
entered into his wedding chamber, he 
2 fell down, and died. Then we all 
overthrew the lights, and all my 
’neighbours rose up to comfort me: 
and I remained quiet unto the second 
38day at night. And it came to pass, 
when they had all left off to comfort 
me, to the end I might be quiet, then 
rose [I up by night, and fled, and came 
hither into this field, as thou seest. 
4 And I do now purpose not to return 
into the city, but here to stay, and 
neither to eat nor drink, but continu- 
ally to mourn and to fast until I die.. 
5 Then left I the meditations wherein 
I was, and answered her in anger, 
6 and said, Thou foolish woman above 
all other, seest thou not our mourning, 
and what hath happened unto us? 
7 how that Sion the mother of us all is 
full of sorrow, and much humbled. 
8#It is right now to mourn very sore, 
seeing we all mourn, and to be sorrow- 
ful, seeing we are all in sorrow, but 
9 thou sorrowest for one son. For ask 
the earth, and she shall tell thee, that 
it is she which ought to mourn for so 
10 many that grow upon her. For out 
of her all had their beginnings, and 
others shall come; and, behold, they 
walk almost all into destruction, and 
the multitude of them is utterly rooted 
1lout. Who then should make more 
mourning, she, that hath lost so 
great a multitude, or thou, which art 
12 grieved but for one? But if thou say- 
est unto me, My lamentation is not 
like the earth’s, for I have lost the 
fruit of my womb, which I brought 
forth with pains, and bare with sor- 
13 rows: but it is with the earth after 


28 





3 Lat. 
towns- 


men. 


Latin is 
corrupt. 


5 So the 
Syriac. 











10. 29. 


II. ESDRAS. 


10. 50. 








5 
z 


cu 





the manner of the earth; the multi- 
tude present in it is gone, as it came: 

14 then say I unto thee, Like as thou hast 
brought forth with sorrow; even so 
the earth also hath given her fruit, 
namely, man, ever since the beginning 

15 unto him that made her. Now there- 
fore keep thy sorrow to thyself, and 
bear with a good courage the adversi- 

16 ties which have befallen thee. For if 
thou shalt acknowledge the decree of 
God to be just, thou shalt both re- 
ceive thy son in time, and shalt be 

17 praised among women. Go thy way 
then into the city to thine husband. 

18 And she said unto me, That will I 
not do: I will not go into the city, but 
here will I die. 

19 So I proceeded to speak further un- 

20 to her, and said, Do not so, but suffer 

_ thyself to be prevailed on by reason 
‘of the adversities of Sion ; and be com- 
forted by reason of the sorrow of 

21 Jerusalem. For thou seest that our 
sanctuary is laid waste, our altar 
broken down, our temple destroyed; 

22 our psaltery is brought low, our song 
is put to silence, our rejoicing is at 
an end; the light of our candlestick 
‘is put out, the ark of our covenant is 
spoiled, our holy things are defiled, 
and the name that is called upon us 
is profaned; our freemen are despite- 
fully treated, our priests are burnt, 
our Levites are gone into captivity, 
our virgins are defiled, and our wives 
ravished; our righteous men carried 
away, our little ones betrayed, our 
young men are brought into bondage, 
and our strong men are become weak; 

23 and, what is more than aH, the seal of 
Sion — for she hath now lost the seal 
of her honour, and is delivered into 

24 the hands of them that hate us. Thou 
therefore shake off thy great heavi- 
ness, and put away from thee the 
multitude of sorrows, that the Mighty 
may be merciful unto thee again, and 
the Most High may give thee rest, 
even ease from thy travails. 

25 And it came to pass, while I was 
talking with her, behold, her face 
upon a sudden shined exceedingly, 
and her countenance glistered like 
lightning, so that I was sore afraid 
tof her, and mused what this might 

26 be; and, behold, suddenly she made 
a great cry very fearful; so that the 

27 earth shook at the noise. And I 
looked, and, behold, the woman ap- 
peared unto me no more, but there 
was a city builded, and a place shewed 
itself from large foundations: then 
was I afraid, and cried with a loud 

28 voice, and said, Where is Uriel the 
angel, who came unto me at the first? 
for he hath caused me to fall into this 
great trance, and mine end is turned 
into corruption, and my prayer to re- 

29buke. And as I was speaking these 


29 





words, behold, the angel who had 
come unto me at the first came unto 

30 me, and he looked upon me: and, lo, 
I lay as one that had been dead, and 
mine understanding was taken from 
me; and he took me by the right 
hand, and comforted me,*and set me 

31 upon my feet, and said unto me, What 
aileth thee? and why art thou so dis- 
quieted? and why is thine under- 
standing troubled, and the thoughts 

32 of thine heart? And I said, Because 
thou hast forsaken me: yet I did ac- 
cording to thy words, and went into 
the field, and, lo, I have seen, and yet 
see, that which I am not able to ex- 

33 press. And he said unto me, Stand 
up like a man, and I will advise thee. 

34 Then said I, Speak on, my Lord; only 
forsake me not, lest I die frustrate 

35 of my hope. For I have seen that I 
knew not, and hear that I do not 

36 know. Or is my sense deceived, or 

37 my soulina dream? Now therefore 
I beseech thee to shew thy servant 
concerning this trance. 

38 And heanswered me,and said, Hear 
me, and I shall inform thee, and tell 
thee concerning the things whereof 
thou art afraid: for the Most High 
hath revealed many secret things un- 

39 to thee. He hath seen that thy way 
is right: for that thou sorrowest con- 
tinually for thy people, and makest 

40 great lamentation for Sion. This 
therefore is the meaning of the vision. 

41 The woman which appeared unto 
thee a little while ago, whom thou 
sawest mourning, and begannest to 

42 comfort her: but now seest thou the 
likeness of the woman no more, but 
there appeared unto thee a city in 

43 building: and whereas she told thee 
of the death of her son, this is the so- 

44 lution: This woman, whom thou saw- 
est, is ?Sion, 2 whom thou now seest 

45 as a city builded; and whereas she 
said unto thee, that she hath been 
thirty years barren, it is, because 
there were three * thousand years in 
the world wherein there was no offer- 

46 ing as yet offered in her. And it came 
to pass after three * thousand years 
that Solomon builded the city, and 
offered offerings : then it was that the 

47 barren bare a son. And whereas she 
told thee that she nourished him 
with travail: that was the dwelling 

48 in Jerusalem. And whereas she said 
unto thee, My son coming into his 
marriage chamber died, and that mis- 
fortune befell her: this was the de- 
struction that came to Jerusalem. 

49 And, behold, thou sawest her like- 
ness, how she mourned: for her son, 
and thou begannest to comfort her 
for what hath befallen her; *these 
were the things to be opened unto 

50 thee. For now the Most High, seeing 
that thou art grieved unfeignedly, 





3 Omit- 
ted in the 
Oriental 
versions. 














11. 14. 


II. ESDRAS. 


Ik 3 





were 
gathered 
together. 





and sufferest from thy whole heart 
for her, hath shewed thee the bright- 
ness of her glory, and the comeliness 

51 of her beauty: and therefore I bade 
thee remain in the field where no 

52 house was builded: for I knew that 
the Most High would shew this unto 

53 thee. Therefore I commanded thee 
to come into the field, where no foun- 

54 dation of any building was. For inthe 
place wherein the city of the Most 
High was to be shewed, the work of 

55 no man’s building could stand. There- 
fore fear thou not, nor let thine heart 
be affrighted, but go thy way in, and 
see the beauty and greatness of the 
building, as much as thine eyes be 

56 able to see: and then shalt thou hear 
as much as thine ears may compre- 

57hend. For thou art blessed above 
many, and with the Most High art 

58 called by name, like as but few. But 
to-morrow at night thou shalt remain 

59here; and so shall the Most High 
shew thee those visions in dreams, of 
what the Most High will do unto them 
that dwell upon earth in the last days. 
So I slept that night and another, like 
as he commanded me. 

11 And it came to pass the second night 
that I saw a dream, and, behold, there 
came up from the sea an eagle, which 
had twelve feathered wings, and three 

2heads. And I saw, and, behold, she 
spread her wings over all the earth, 
and all the winds of heaven blew on 
her, tand the clouds were gathered 
3 together against her. And I beheld, 
and out of her wings there grew other 
wings over against them; and they 
4 became little wings and small. But 
her heads were at rest: the head in 
the midst was greater than the other 
5 heads, yet rested it with them. More- 
over I beheld, and, lo, the eagle flew 
with her wings, to reign over the earth, 
and over them that dwell therein. 
6And I beheld how that all things 
under heaven were subject unto her, 
and no man spake against her, no, not 
7 one creature upon earth. And I be- 
held, and, lo, the eagle rose upon her 
talons, and uttered her voice to her 
8 wings, saying, Watch not all at once: 
sleep every one in his own place, and 
9 watch by course : but let the heads be 

10 preserved for the last. And I beheld, 
and, lo, the voice went not out of her 
heads, but from the midst of her body. 

11 And I numbered 2 her wings that were 
over against the other, and, behold, 

12 there were eight of them. And I be- 
held, and, lo, on the right side there 
arose one wing, and reigned over all 

13 the earth ; and so it was, that when it 
reigned, the end of it came, and it 
appeared not, so that the place there- 
of appeared no more: and the next 
following rose up, and reigned, and it 

14 bare rule a great time; and it hap- 


30 





pened, that when it reigned, the end 
of it came also, so that it appeared no 
15 more, like as the first. And, lo, there 
16 came a voice unto it, and said, Hear 
thou that hast borne rule over the 
earth all this time: this I proclaim 
unto thee, before thou shalt appear 
17 no more, There shall none after thee 
attain unto thy time, neither unto the 
18 half thereof. Then arose the third, 
and had the rule as the others before, 
19and it also appeared no more. So 
went it with all the wings one after 
another, as that every one bare rule, 
20 and then appeared no more. And I 
beheld, and, lo, in process of time the 
* wings that followed were set up upon 
‘the ‘fright side, that they might rule 
also; and some of them ruled, but 
within a while they appeared no more: 
21some also of them were set up, but 
22 ruled not. After this I beheld, and, lo, 
the twelve wings appeared no more, 
23 nor two of the little wings: and there 
was no more left upon the eagle’s 
body, but the three heads that rested, 
24 and six little wings. And I beheld, 
and, lo, two little wings divided them- 
selves from the six, and remained un- 
der the head that was upon the right 
side: but four remained in their place. 
25 And I beheld, and, lo, these * under 
wings thought to set up themselves, 
26 and to have the rule. And I beheld, 
and, lo, there was one set up, but 
within a while it appeared no more. 
27 A second also, and it was sooner away 
28 than the first. And I beheld, and, lo, 
the two that remained thought also in 
29themselves to reign: and while they 
so thought, behold, there awaked one 
of the heads that were at rest, namely, 
it that was in the midst; for that was 
greater than the two other heads. 
30 And I beheld how that it joined the 
31 two other heads with it. And, behold, 
the head was turned with them that 
were with it, and did eat up the two 
Sunder wings that thought to have 
32 reigned. But this head held the whole 
earth in possession, and bare rule 
over those that dwell therein with 
much oppression; and it had the gov- 
ernance of the world more than all 
33 the wings that had been. And after 
this I beheld, and, lo, the head also 
that was in the midst suddenly ap- 
peared no more, like as the wings. 
34 But there remained the two ‘heads, 
which also in like sort reigned over 
the earth, and over those that dwell 
35 therein. And I beheld, and, lo, the 
head upon the right side devoured it 
that was upon the left side. 
36 Then I heard a voice, which said 
unto me, Look before thee, and con- 
37 sider the thing that thou seest. And 
I beheld, and, lo, as it were a lion 
roused out of the wood roaring: and I 
heard how that he sent out a man’s 





3 The 
Syriac 
has little 
wings. 

4 The 
Ethio- 


left. 











12. 9. 


II. ESDRAS. 


12. 31. 











voice unto the eagle, and spake, say- 
38 ing, Hear thou, I will talk with thee, 
and the Most High shall say unto 
39 thee, Art not thou it that remainest 
of the four beasts, whom I made to 
reign in my world, that the end of 
my times might come through them? 
40 And the fourth came, and overcame 
all the beasts that were past, and held 
the world in governance with great 
trembling, and the whole compass of 
the earth with grievous oppression; 
and so long time dwelt he upon the 
4iearth with deceit. And thou hast 
judged the earth, but not with truth. 
42 For thou hast afflicted the meek, thou 
hast hurt the peaceable, thou hast 
hated them that speak truth, thou 
hast loved liars, and destroyed the 
dwellings of them that brought forth 
_fruit, and hast cast down the walls of 
43 such as did theeno harm. Therefore 
is thy insolent dealing come up unto 
the Most High, and thy pride unto the 
44 Mighty. The Most High also hath 
looked upon his times, and, behold, 
. they are ended, and his ages are ful- 
45 filled. And therefore appear no more, 
thou eagle, nor thy horrible wings, 
nor thy evil little wings, nor thy cruel 
heads, nor thy hurtful talons, nor all 
46 thy vain body: that all the earth may 
be refreshed, and be eased, being de- 
livered from thy violence, and that 
she may hope for the judgement and 
mercy of him that made her. 
12 And it came to pass, whiles the lion 
spake these words unto the eagle, I 
2 beheld, and, lo, the head that remain- 
ed appeared no more, and the two 
wings which went over unto it arose 
and set themselves up to reign, and 
their kingdom was small, and full of 
Suproar. And I beheld, and, lo, they 
appeared no more, and the whole body 
of the eagle was burnt, so that the 
earth was in great fear: thenawaked 
I by reason of great ecstasy of mind, 
and from great fear, and said unto 
4 my spirit, Lo, this hast thou done unto 
me, in that thou searchest out the 
5 ways of the Most High. Lo, I am 
yet weary in my mind, and very weak 
in my spirit; nor is there the least 
strength in me, for the great fear 
wherewith I was affrighted this night. 
6 Therefore will I now beseech the 
Most High, that he will strengthen 
7me unto the end. And I said, O Lord 
that bearest rule, if I have found fa- 
vour in thy sight, and if I am justified 
with thee above many others, and if 
my prayer indeed be come up before 
8 thy face; strengthen me then, and 
shew me thy servant the interpreta- 
tion and plain meaning of this fearful 
vision, that thou mayest perfectly 
9comfort my soul. For thou hast 
judged me worthy to shew me the end 
of time and the last times. 





10 And he said unto me, This is the in- 
terpretation of this vision which thou 
11 sawest: The eagle, whom thou sawest 
come up from the sea, is the fourth 
kingdom which appeared in vision to 
12 thy brother Daniel. But it was not ex- 
pounded unto him, as I now expound 
it unto thee or have expounded it. 
13 Behold,the days come, that there shall 
rise up a kingdom upon earth, and it 
shall be feared above all the kingdoms 
14 that were before it. Imthe same shall 
twelve kings reign, one after another: 
15 whereof the second shall begin to 
reign, and shall have a longer time 
16 than any of the twelve. This is the 
interpretation of the twelve wings, 
17 which thou sawest. And whereas 
thou heardest a voice which spake, 
not going out from the heads, but 
from the midst of the body thereof, 
18 this is the interpretation: That ? after 
the time of that kingdom there shall 


arise no small contentions, and it shall | ha 


stand in peril of falling: nevertheless 
it shall not then fall, but shall be re- 
19 stored again to its first estate. And 
whereas thou sawest the eight under 
wings sticking to her wings, this is 
20 the interpretation: That in it there 
shall arise eight kings, whose times 
shall be but small, and their years 
2iswift. And two of them shall perish, 
when the middle time approacheth: 
four shall be kept for a while until 
the time of the ending thereof shall 
approach: but two shall be kept unto 
22the end. And whereas thou sawest 
three heads resting, this is the inter- 
23 pretation: In the last days thereof 
shall the Most High raise up three 
skingdoms, and renew many things 
therein, and they shall bear rule over 
24 the earth, and over those that dwell 
therein, with much oppression, above 
all those that were before them: 
therefore are they called the heads 
25o0f the eagle. For these are they 
that shall accomplish her wickedness, 
and that shall finish her last end. 
26 And whereas thou sawest that the 
great head appeared no more, it sig- 
nifieth that one of them shall die 
upon his bed, and yet with pain. 
27 But for the two that remained, the 
28sword shall devour them. For the 
sword of the one shall devour him that 
was with him: but he also shall fall 
29 by the sword in the last days. And 
whereas thou sawest two under wings 
passing *over unto the head that is 
on the right side, this is the interpre- 
30 tation: These are they, whom the 
Most ‘High hath kept unto his end: 
this is the small kingdom and full of 
31 trouble, as thou sawest. And the lion, 
whom thou sawest rising up out of 
the wood, and roaring, and speaking 
to the eagle, and rebuking her for her 
unrighteousness, and all her words 


31 





3 The 
Oriental 
versions 
have 
kings. 














12. 50. 


It. ESDRAS. 


13. 


16. 





1 The 
words in 
brackets 


3 So the 
Syriac. 


4 So the 
Syriac. 





32 which thou hast heard; this is the 
anointed one, whom the Most High 
hath kept unto the end 1 [of days, 
who shall spring up out of the seed 
of David, and he shall come and 
speak] unto them and reprove them 
for their wickedness and their un- 
righteousness, and shall ?heap up 
before them their contemptuous deal- 

33 ings. For at the first he shall set 
them alive in his judgement, and when 
he hath reproved them, he shall de- 

34 stroy them. For the rest of my people 
shall he deliver with mercy, those that 
have been preserved throughout my 
borders, and he shall make them joyful 
until the coming of the end, even the 
day of judgement, whereof I have 
spoken unto thee from the beginning. 

35 This is the dream that thou sawest, 
and this is the interpretation thereof: 

36 and thou only hast been meet to know 

37 this secret of the Most High. There- 
fore write all these things that thou 
hast seen in a book, and put them in 

38 a.secret place: and thou shalt teach 
them to the wise of thy people, whose 
hearts thou knowest are able to com- 

39 prehend and keep these secrets. But 
wait thou here thyself yet seven days 
more, that there may be shewed unto 
thee whatsoever it pleaseth the Most 
High to shew thee. And he departed 
from me. . 

40 And it came to pass, when all the 
people * saw that the seven days were 
past, and I not come again into the 
city, they gathered them all together, 
from the least unto the greatest, and 
came unto me, and spake to me, say- 

41 ing, What have we offended thee ? and 
what evil have we done against thee, 
that thou hast utterly forsaken us, 

42 and sittest in this place? For of all the 
prophets thou only art left us,as a 
cluster of the vintage, and as a lamp 
in a dark place, and as a haven for a 

43 ship saved from the tempest. Are not 
the evils which are come to us suffi- 

44 cient? If thou shalt forsake us, how 
much better had it been for us, if we 
also had been consumed in the burn- 

45 ing of Sion! For we are not better 
than they that died there. And they 
wept with a loud voice. And I an- 

46 swered them, and said, Be of good 
comfort, O Israel; and be not sorrow- 

47 ful, thou house of Jacob: for the Most 
High hath youin remembrance, and 
the Mighty hath not forgotten you 

48‘for ever. As for me, I have not for- 
saken you, neither am I departed 
from you: but am come into this 
place, to pray for the desolation of 
Sion, and that I might seek mercy for 
the low estate of your sanctuary. 

49 And now go your way every man to 
his own house, and after these days 

50 will I come unto you. So the people 
went their way into the city, like as I 





51 said unto them: but I satin the field 
seven days, as the angel commanded 
me; and in those days I did eat only 
of the flowers of the field, and had my 
meat of the herbs. 

18 And it came to pass after seven days, 

21 dreamed a dream by night: and, lo, 
there arose a wind from the sea, that 
3 it moved all the waves thereof. And 
I beheld, and, lo,1[this wind caused 
to come up from the midst of the sea 
as it were the likeness of a man, and 
I beheld, and, lo,] that man * flew with 
the clouds of heaven: and when he 
turned his countenance to look, all 
things trembled that were seen under 
4 him. And whensoever the voice went 
out of his mouth, all they burned that 
heard his voice, like as the ® wax melt- 
5 eth when it feeleth the fire. And 
after this I beheld, and, lo, there was 
gathered together a multitude of men, 
out of number, from the four winds of 
heaven, to make war against the man 
6that came out of the sea. And I 
beheld, and, lo, he graved himself a 
great mountain, and flew up upon it. 
7 But I sought to see the region or place 
whereout the mountain was graven, 
8and I could not. And after this I 
beheld, and, lo, all they which were 
gathered together to fight against him 
were sore afraid, and yet durst fight. 
9 And, lo, as he saw the assault of the 
multitude that came, he neither lifted 
up his hand, nor held spear, nor any 

10 instrument of war: but only I saw 
how that he sent out of his mouth as 
it had been a flood of fire, and out of 
his lips a flaming breath, and out of 
his tongue he cast forth sparks ‘ of 

11 the storm. And these were all min- 
gled together; the flood of fire, the 
flaming breath, and the great storm; 
and fell upon the assault of the multi- 
tude which was prepared to fight, and 
burned them up every one, so that 
upon a sudden of an innumerable 
multitude nothing was to be per- 
ceived, but only dust of ashes and 
smell of smoke: when I saw this I 

12 was amazed. Afterward I beheld the 
same man come down from the moun- 
tain, and call unto him another multi- 

13 tude which was peaceable. And there 
came ® much people unto him, whereof 
some were glad, some were sorry, 
some of them were bound, and other 
some brought of them that were of- 
fered: then through great fear I 


awaked, and prayed unto the Most |} 


14 High, and said, Thou hast shewed 
thy servant these wonders from the 
beginning, and hast counted me 
worthy that thou shouldest receive 

15 my prayer: and now shew me more- 
over the interpretation of this dream. 

16 For as I conceive in mine under- 
standing, woe unto them that shall 
be left in those days! and much more 


32 





versions. 


7 So the 


8 Lat. the 
Faces of 


man; 
peopte. 











13. 37. 


II. ESDRAS. 


13. 57. 











17 woe unto them that are notJeft! for 
they that were not left shall be in 
18 heaviness, understanding the things 
that are laid up in the latter days, but 
19 not attaining untothem. But woe unto 
them also that are left, for this cause ; 
for they shall see great perils and 
many necessities, like as these dreams 
20 declare. Yet is it + better for one to 
be in peril and to come into *these 
things, than to pass away as a cloud 
out of the world, and not to see the 
things that ? shall happen in the last 
days. 
And he answered unto me, and said, 
21 The interpretation of the vision shall 
I tell thee, and I will also open unto 
thee the things whereof thou hast 
22made mention. Whereas thou hast 
spoken of them that are left behind, 
23 this is the interpretation: He that 
shall endure the peril in that time 
shall keep them that be fallen into 
danger, even such as have works, and 
24 faith toward the Almighty. Know 
therefore, that they which be left be- 
hind are more blessed than they that 
25 be dead. These are the interpreta- 
tions of the vision : Whereas thou saw- 
est a man coming up from the midst 
26 of the sea, the same is he whom the 
Most High hath kept a great season, 
which by his own self shall deliver his 
ereature: and he shall order them 
27 that are left behind. And whereas 
thou sawest, that out of his mouth 
there came wind, and fire, and storm ; 
28and whereas he held neither spear, 
nor aby instrument of war, but de- 
stroyed the assault of that multitude 
which came to fight against him; this 
29 is the interpretation : Behold, the days 
come, when the Most High will begin 
to deliver them that are upon the 
30 earth. And there shall come astonish- 
ment of mind upon them that dwellon 
31 the earth. And one shall think to war 
against another, city against city, 
place against place, people against 
people, and kingdom against kingdom. 
32 And it shall be, when these things 
shall come to pass, and the signs shall 
happen which I shewed thee before, 
then shall my Son be revealed, whom 
33 thou sawest as a man ascending. And 
it shall be, when all the nations hear 
his voice, every man shall leave his 
own land and the battle they have one 
34 againstanother. And an innumerable 
multitude shall be gathered together, 
as thou sawest, desiring to come, and 
35 to fight against him. But he shall 
stand upon the top of the mount Sion. 
36 And Sion shall come, and shall be 
shewed to all men, being prepared 
and builded, like as thou sawest the 
37 mountain graven without hands. And 
this my Son shall rebuke the nations 
which are come for their wickedness, 
with plagues that are like unto a tem- 


33 





38 pest ; and shall taunt them to their 
face with their evil thoughts, and the 
torments wherewith they shall be tor- 
mented, which are likened unto a 
flame : and he shall destroy them with- 
out labour by the law, which is liken- 

39 ed unto fire. And whereas thou saw- 
est that he gathered unto him another 

40 multitude that was peaceable ; these 
are the ten tribes, which were led 
away out of their own land in the time 
of Osea the king, whom Salmanasar 
the king of the Assyrians led away 
captive, and he carried them beyond 
the River, and they were carried into 

41another land. But they took this 
counsel among themselves, that they 
would leave the multitude of the hea- 
then, and go forth into a further 
country, where never mankind dwelt, 

42 that they might there keep their stat- 
utes, which they had not kept in 

43 their own land. And they entered 
by the narrow passages of the river 

44 Euphrates. For the Most High then 
wrought signs for them, and stayed 
the springs of the River, till they were 

45 passed over. For through that coun- 
try there was a great way to go, name- 
ly, of a year anda half: and the same 

46 region is called * Arzareth. Then 
dwelt they there until the latter time; 
and now when they begin to come 

47 again, the Most High stayeth the 
springs of the River again, that they 
may go through: therefore sawest 
thou the multitude gathered together 

48 with peace. But those that be left 
behind of thy people are they that are 

49 found within my holy border. Itshall 
be therefore when he shall destroy the 
multitude of the nations that are 
gathered together, he shall defend the 

50 people that remain. And then shall 
he shew them very many wonders. 

51 Thensaid I,O Lord that bearest rule, 
shew me this: wherefore I have seen 
the man coming up from the midst of 

52 the sea. And he said unto me, Like 

. as one can neither seek out nor know 
what is in the deep of the sea, even so 
can no man upon earth see my Son, 
or those that be with him, but in the 

53 time of* his day. This is the inter- 
pretation of the dream which thou 


sawest, and for this thou only art en- | Th 


54 lightened herein. For thou hast for- 
saken thine own ways, and applied thy 
diligence unto mine, and hast sought 

55 out my law. Thy life hast thou or- 
dered in wisdom, and hast called un- 

56 derstanding thy mother. And there- 
fore have I shewed thee this; for there 
is a reward laid up with the Most 
High: and it shall be, after other 
three days I will speak other things 
unto thee, and declare unto thee 

57 mighty and wondrous things. Then 
went I forth and passed into the field, 
giving praise and thanks greatly unto 

D 





4 So the 
Oriental 
versions. 
e 
Latin 
omits 
his. 














14, 21. 


II. ESDRAS. 


14, 42. 





1 An- 
other 
reading 
is, J. 


2 Verses 


come 
unto the 
pie if 
and ha 
of the 
tenth re- 
maineth. 
Now &c. 
3 Lat. 
and. 

4 The 
Latin 
alone 
omits 
and... 
wise. 


5 So the 
Oriental 
versions. 
6 The 
Latin 
omits 
Iwill 
speak. 





the Most High because of his wonders, 

58 which he did from time to time ; and 
because he governeth the time, and 
such things as fall in their seasons. 
And there I sat three days. 

14 And it came to pass upon the third 
day, I sat under an oak, and, behold, 
there came a voice out of a bush over 
against me, and said, Esdras, Esdras. 

2 And I said, Here am I, Lord. And I 
3 stood up upon my feet. Then said he 
unto me, In the bush I did manifestly 
reveal myself, and talked with Moses, 
when my people were in bondage in 
4 Egypt: and I sent him, and the led 
my people out of Egypt; and I brought 
him up to the mount of Sinai, where 
5 I held him by me for many days; and 
told him many wondrous things, and 
shewed him the secrets of the times, 
and the end of the seasons ; and com- 
6manded him, saying, These words 
shalt thou publish openly, and these 
7 shalt thou hide. And now I say unto 
8 thee, Lay up in thy heart the signs 
that I have shewed, and the dreams 
that thou hast seen, and the interpre- 
9tations which thou hast heard: for 
thou shalt be taken away from men, 
and from henceforth thou shalt re- 
main with my Son, and with such as 
be like thee, until the times be ended. 

10 For the world hath lost its youth, and 

11 the times begin to wax old. 2For the 
world is divided into twelve parts, and 
ten parts of it are gone already, * even 

12 the half of the tenth part: and there 
remain of it two parts after the middle 

13 of the tenth part. Now therefore set 
thine house in order, and reprove thy 
people, comfort the lowly among 
them, ‘and instruct such of them as 
be wise, and now renounce the life 

14 that is corruptible, and let go from 
thee mortal thoughts, cast away from 
thee the burdens of man, put off now 

15 thy weak nature, and lay aside the 
thoughts that are most grievous unto 
thee, and haste thee to remove from 

16 these times. For yet worse evils than 
those which thou hast seen happen 

17 shall be done hereafter. For look, 
how much the world shall be weaker 
through age, so much the more shall 
evils increase upon them that dwell 

18 therein. For the truth shall withdraw 
itself further off, and leasing be hard 
at hand: for now hasteth >the eagle 
to come, which thou sawest in vision. 

19 Then answered I and said, ®I will 

20 speak before thee,O Lord. Behold, I 
will go, as thou hast commanded me, 
and reprove the people that now be: 
but they that shall be born afterward, 
who shall admonish them? for the 
world is set in darkness, and they that 

21 dwell therein are without light. For 
thy law is burnt, therefore no man 
knoweth the things that are done of 
thee, or the works that shall be done. 





22 But if [have found favour before thee, 
send the Holy Spirit into me, and I 
shall write all that hath been done in 
the world since the beginning, even 
the things that were written in thy 
law, that men may be able to find the 
path, and that they which would live 

23 in the latter days may live. And he 
answered me and said, Go thy way, 
gather the people together, and say 
unto them, that they seek thee not 

24 for forty days. But look thou prepare 
thee many tablets, and take with thee 
Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ethanus, and 
Asiel, these five, which are ready to 

25 write swiftly ; and come hither, and I 
shall light a lamp of understanding in 
thine heart, which shall not be put out, 
till the things be ended which thou 

26 shalt write. And when thou hast 
done, some things shalt thou publish 
openly, and some things shalt thou 
deliver in secret to the wise: to-mor- 
row this hour shalt thou begin to write. 

27 Then went I forth, as he commanded 
me, and gathered all the people to- 

28 gether, and said, Hear these words, 

290 Israel. Our fathers at. the begin- 
ning were strangers in Egypt, and 

30 they were delivered from thence, and 
received the law of life, which they 
kept not, which ye also have trans- 

31 gressed after them. Then was ‘the 
land, even the land of Sion, given you 
for a possession: but ye yourselves, 
and your fathers, have done unright- 
eousness, and haye not kept the ways 
which the Most High commanded 

32 you. And forasmuch as he is a right- 
eous judge, he took from you for a 
while the thing that he had given you. 

33 And now ye are here, and your bre- 

34 threnareamong you. Therefore if so 
be that ye will rule over your own un- 
derstanding, and instruct your hearts, 
ye shall be kept alive, and after death 

35 ye shall obtain mercy. For after death 
shall the judgement come, when we 
shall live again: and then shall the 
names of the righteous be manifest, 
and the works of the ungodly shall be 

36 declared. Let noman therefore come 
unto me now, nor seek after me these 

37 forty days. So I took the five men, as 
he commanded me, and we went forth 
into the field, and remained there. 

38 And it came to pass on the morrow 
that, lo, a voice called me, saying, Es- 
dras, open thy mouth, and drink that I 

39 give thee todrink. Then opened Imy 
mouth, and, behold, there was reached 
unto me a full cup, which was full 
as it were with water, but the colour 

40 of it was like fire. And I took it, 
and drank: and when I had drunk of 
it, my heart uttered understanding, 
and wisdom grew in my breast, for 

41 my spirit retained its memory: and 
my mouth was opened, and shut no 

42more. The Most High gave under- 


34 





of Sion. 














II. ESDRAS. 


15. 34. 





15. 16. 
standing unto the five men, and they 
wrote by course the things that were 
1 So told them, in? characters which they 
—. knew not, and they sat forty days: 


now they wrote in the day-time, and 
43 at night they ate bread. As for me, 
I spake in the day, and by night I 
44 held not my tongue. So in forty days 
were written 2 fourscore and fourteen 
45 books. And it came to pass, when 
the forty days were fulfilled, that the 
Most High spake unto me, saying, The 
first that thou hast written publish 

_ openly, and let the worthy and un- 
46 worthy read it: but keep the seventy 
last, that thou mayest deliver them 

‘! to such as be wise among thy people: 
47for in them is the spring of under- 
standing, the fountain of wisdom, and 
48 the stream of knowledge. And I did so. 


15 Behold, speak thou in the ears of my 
people the words of prophecy, which 

I will put in thy mouth, saith the 
2Lord: and cause thou them to be 
written in paper: for they are faithful 

3 and true. Fear not their imaginations 
against thee,let not the unbelief of 
them that speak against thee trouble 

4thee. For all the unbelievers shall 
die in their unbelief. 

5 Behold, saith the Lord, I bring evils 
upon the whole earth; sword and 
famine, and death and destruction. 

6 For wickedness hath prevailed over 
every land, and their hurtful works 

7 are come to the full. Therefore saith 

8the Lord, I will hold my peace no 
more as touching their wickedness, 
which they profanely commit, neither 


will I suffer them in these things, | 


which they wickedly practise: behold, 
the innocent and righteous blood cri- 
eth unto me, and the souls of the right- 

9 eous cry out continually. I will surely 
avenge them, saith the Lord, and will 
receive unto me all the innocent blood 
10 from among them. Behold, my people 
is led as a flock to the slaughter: I 
will not suffer them now to dwell in 
lithe land of Egypt: but I will bring 
them out with a mighty hand and 
with a high arm, and will smite Egypt 
with plagues, as aforetime, and will 
12destroy all the land thereof. Let 
Egypt mourn, and the foundations 
thereof, for the plague of the chastise- 
ment and the punishment that God 
13 shall bring upon it. Let the husband- 
men that till the ground mourn: for 
their seeds shall fail and their trees 
shall be laid waste through the blast- 
14 ing and hail, and a terrible star. Woe 
to the world and them that dwell 
15 therein! for the sword and their de- 
struction draweth nigh, and nation 
shall rise up against nation to battle 
16 with weapons in their hands. For 
there shall be sedition among men; 





and waxing strong one against an- 





other, they shall not regard their king 
nor the chief of their great ones, in 
17 their might. For a man shall desire 
to go into a city, and shall not be able. 
18 For because of their pride the cities 
shall be troubled, the houses shall be 
destroyed, and men shall be afraid. 
19A man shall have no pity upon his 
neighbour, but shall make an assault 
on their houses with the sword, and 
spoil their goods, because of the lack 
of bread, and for great tribulation. 
20 Behold, saith God, I call together all 
the kings of the earth, to stir up them 
that are from the rising of the sun, 
from the south, from the east, and 
Libanus; to turn themselves one 
against another, and repay the things 
21 that they have done to them. Like 
as they do yet this day unto my cho- 
sen, so will I do also, and recompense 
in their bosom. Thus saith the Lord 
22 God: My right hand shall not spare 
the sinners, and my sword shall not 
cease over them that shed innocent 
23 blood upon the earth. And a fire is 
gone forth from his wrath, and hath 
consumed the foundations of the 
earth, and the sinners, like the straw 
24that is kindled. Woe to them that 
sin, and keep not my commandments! 
25 saith the Lord. I will not spare them: 
go your way, ye rebellious children, 
26 defile not my sanctuary. For the 
Lord knoweth. all them that trespass 
against him, therefore hath he deliv- 
ered them unto death and destruction. 
27 For now are the evils come upon 
the whole earth, and ye shall remain 
in them: for God shall not deliver 
you, because ye have sinned against 
hi 


im. 
28 Behold, a vision horrible, and the 
appearance thereof from the east! 
29 And the nations of the dragons of 
Arabia shall come out with many cha- 
riots, and from the day that they set 
forth the hissing of them is carried 
over the earth, so that all they which 
shall hear them may fear also and 
30 tremble. Also the Carmonians raging 
in wrath shall go forth as the wild 
boars of the wood, and with great 
power shall they come, and join battle 
with them, and shall waste a portion 
of the land of the Assyrians with their 
381 teeth. And then shall the dragons 
have the upper hand, remembering 
their *nature; and if they shall turn 
themselves, conspiring together in 
32 great power to persecute them, then 
these shall be troubled, and keep si- 
lence through their power, and shall 
33 turn and flee. And from the land of 
the Assyrians shall the lier in wait be- 
siege them, and consume one of them, 
and upon their host shall be fear and 
trembling, and sedition against their 
34 kings. Behold, clouds from the east 
and from the north unto the south, 


35 





3 Or, 
birth 














15. 53. 


II. ESDRAS. 


16. 13. 





1 Lat. 
star. 





and they are very horrible to look 
35 upon, full of wrath and storm. They 
shall dash one against another, and 
they shall pour out a plentiful 1 storm 
upon the earth, even their own star; 
and there shall be blood from the 
36 sword unto the horse’s belly, and to 
the thigh of man, and to the camel’s 
37 hough. And there shall be fearful- 
ness and great trembling upon earth: 
and they that see that wrath shall be 
afraid, and trembling shall take hold 
38 upon them. Andafter this shall there 
be stirred up great storms from the 
south, and from the north, and an- 
39 other part from the west. And strong 
winds shall arise from the east, and 
shall shut it up, even the cloud which 
he raised in wrath; and the star that 
was to cause destruction by the east 
wind shall be violently driven toward 
40 the south and west. And great clouds 
and mighty and full of wrath shall be 
lifted up, and the star, that they may 
destroy all the earth, and them that 
dwell therein; and they shall pour 
out over every high and eminent one 
41a terrible star, fire, and hail, and 
flying swords, and many waters, that 
all plains may be full, and all rivers, 
with the abundance of those waters. 
42 And they shall break down the cities 
and walls, mountains and hills, trees 
of the wood, and grass of the mea- 
43 dows, and their corn. And they shall 
go on stedfastly unto Babylon, and 
44 destroy her. They shall come unto 
her, and compass her about; the star 
and all wrath shall they pour out 
upon her: then shall the dust and 


smoke go up unto the heaven, and all. 


they that be about her shall bewail 
45 her. And they that remain shall do 
service unto them that have put her 
in fear. 
46 And thou, Asia, that art partaker in 
the beauty of Babylon, and in the 
47 glory of her person: woe unto thee, 
thou wretch, because thou hast made 
thyself like unto her; thou hast 
decked thy daughters in whoredom, 
that they might please and glory in 
thy lovers, which have alway desired 
thee to commit whoredom withal ! 
48 Thou hast followed her that is hate- 
ful in all her works and inventions : 
49 therefore saith God, I will send evils 
upon thee; widowhood, poverty, fa- 
mine, sword, and pestilence, to waste 
thy houses unto destruction and 
50 death. And the glory of thy power 
shall be dried up as a flower, when 
the heat shall arise that is sent over 
5ithee. Thou shalt be weakened as a 
poor woman with stripes, and as one 
chastised with wounds, so that thy 
mighty ones and thy lovers thou shalt 
52 not be able to receive. Would I with 
jealousy have so proceeded against 
53 thee, saith the Lord, if thou hadst not 





always slain my chosen, exalting the 
stroke of thine hands, and saying 
over their 2dead, when thou wast 
54 drunken, Set forth the beauty of thy 
55 countenance? The reward of a har- 
lot shall be in thy bosom, therefore 
56 shalt thou receive recompense. Like 
as thou shalt do unto my chosen, 
saith the Lord, even so shall God do 
unto thee, and shall deliver thee into 
57 mischief. And thy children shall die 
of hunger, and thou shalt fall by the 
sword: and thy cities shall be broken 
down, and all thine shall perish by 
58 the sword in the field. And they that 
be in the mountains shall die of hun- 
ger, and eat their own flesh, and 
drink their own blood, for very hun- 
ger of bread, and thirst of water. 
59 Thou unhappy above all shalt come 
60 and shalt again receive evils. And in 
the passage they shall rush on the 
’ idle city, and shall destroy some por- 
tion of thy land, and mar part of thy 
glory, and shall return again to Baby- 
61lon that was destroyed. And thou 
shalt be cast down by them as stubble, 
and they shall be unto thee as fire; 
62 and shall devour thee, and thy cities, 
thy land, and thy mountains ; all thy 
woods and thy fruitful trees shall 
63 they burn up with fire. They shall 
carry thy children away captive, and 
shall spoil thy wealth, and mar the 
glory of thy face. 
16 Woe unto thee, Babylon, and Asia! 
woe unto thee, Egypt, and Syria! 
2 Gird up yourselves with sackcloth and 
garments of hair, and bewail your 
children, and lament; for your de- 
3 struction is at hand. A sword is sent 
upon you, and who is he that may turn 
4it back? A fire is sentupon you, and 
5 who is he that may quench it? Evils 
are sent upon you, and who is he that 
6 may drive them away? May one drive 
away a hungry lion in the wood? or 
may one quench the fire in stubble, 
when it hath once begun to burn? 
7 May one turn again the arrow that is 
8 shot of a strong archer? The Lord 
God sendeth the evils, and who shall 
9 drive them away? A fire shall go forth 
from his wrath, and who is he that 
10 may quench it? He shall cast light- 
ning, and who shall not fear? he shall 
thunder, and who shall not tremble? 
11 The Lord shall threaten, and who 
shall not be utterly broken in pieces 
12 at his presence? The earth quaketh, 
and the foundations thereof; the sea 
ariseth up with waves from the deep, 
and the waves of it shall be troubled, 
and the fishes thereof also, at the 
presence of the Lord, and before the 
13 glory of his power: for strong is his 
right hand that bendeth the bow, his 
arrows that he shooteth are sharp, 
and shall not miss, when they begin 
to be shot into the ends of the world. 


36 





2 Lat. 
death. 














16. 35. 


If. ESDRAS. 





1 See Is. 
Vii. 25. 





14 Behold, the evils are sent forth, and 
shall not return again, until they come 

15 upon the earth. The fire is kindled, 
and shall not be put out, till it con- 
sume the foundations of the earth. 

16 Like as an arrow which is shot of a 
mighty archer returneth not back- 
ward, even so the evils that are sent 
forth upon earth shall not return 

17 again. Woe is me! woe is me! who 
will deliver me in those days? 

18 The beginning of sorrows, and there 
shall be great mournings; the begin- 
ning of famine, and many shall perish; 
the beginning of wars, and the powers 
shall stand in fear; the beginning of 
evils, and all shall tremble! what shall 
they do in ali this when the evils shall 

19come? Behold, famine and plague, 
tribulation and anguish ! they are sent 

20 as scourges foramendment. But for 
all these things they shall not turn 
them from their wickedness, nor be 

21 alway mindful of the scourges. Be- 
hold, victuals shall be so good cheap 
upon earth, that they shall think them- 
selves to be in good case, and even 
then shall evils grow upon earth, 
sword, famine, and great confusion. 

22 For many of them that dwell upon 
earth shall perish of famine; and the 
other, that escape the famine, shall 

23 the sword destroy. And the dead 
shall be cast out as dung, and there 
shall be no man to comfort them: for 
the earth shall be left desolate, and 
the cities thereof shall be cast down. 

24 There shall be no husbandman left to 

25 till the earth, and to sew it. The trees 

_ Shall give fruit, and who shall gather 
26them? The grapes shall ripen, and 
who shall tread them? for in ail 
places there shall be a great forsak- 

27 ing: for one man shall desire to see 

28 another, or to hear his voice. For of 
a city there shall be ten left, and two 
of the field, which have hidden them- 
selves in the thick groves, and in the 

29 clefts of the rocks. As in an orchard 
of olives upon every tree there be 

30 left three or four olives, or as when a 
vineyard is gathered there be some 
clusters left by them that diligently 

31 seek through the vineyard; even so 
in those days there shall be three or 
four left by them that search their 

32 houses with the sword. And the 
earth shall be left desolate, and the 
fields thereof shall be for 1 briers, and 
her ways and all her paths shall bring 
forth thorns, because no sheep shall 

33 pass therethrough. The virgins shall 
mourn, having no bridegrooms; the 
women {shall mourn, having no hus- 
bands ; their daughters shall mourn, 

34 having no helpers. In the wars shall 

- their bridegrooms be destroyed, and 
their husbands shall perish of famine. 

35 Hear now these things, and under- 
stand them, ye servants of the Lord. 





36 Behold, the word of the Lord, receive 
it: disbelieve not the things whereof 
37 the Lord speaketh. Behold, the evils 
38 draw nigh,and are not slack. Like as 
a woman with child in the ninth month, 
when the hour of her delivery draweth 
near, within two or three hours dole- 
ful pains compass her womb, and 
when the child cometh forth from the 
womb, there shall be no tarrying for 
39 a moment: even so shall not the evils 
be slack to come upon the earth, and 
the world shall groan, and sorrows 
40 shall take hold of it onevery side. O 
my people,hear my word: make you 
ready to the battle, and in those evils 
be even as pilgrims upon the earth. 
41 He that selleth, let him be as he that 
fleeth away: and he that buyeth,as 
42 one that will lose: he that occupieth 
merchandise, as he that hath no pro- 
fit by it: and he that buildeth, as he 
43 that shall not dwell therein: he that 
soweth, as if he should not reap: so 
also he that pruneth the vines,as he 
44 that shall not gather the grapes : they 
that marry, as they that shall get no 
children ; and they that marry not, as 
45 the widowed. Inasmuch as they that 
46 labour labour in vain; for strangers 
shall reap their fruits, and spoil their 
goods, overthrow their houses, and 
take their children captive, for in 
captivity and famine shall they beget 
47 their children: and they that traffick 
traffick to become a spoil: the more 
they deck their cities, their houses, 
their possessions, and their own per- 
48sons, the more will I hate them for 
49 their sins, saith the Lord. Like as 
a right honest and virtuous woman 
50 hateth a harlot, so shall righteous- 
ness hate iniquity, when she decketh 
herself,and shall accuse her to her 
face, when he cometh that shall de- 
fend him that diligently searcheth 
out every sin upon earth. 
51 Therefore be ye not like thereunto, 
52 nor to the works thereof. For yeta 
little while, and iniquity shall be taken 
away out of the earth, and righteous- 
53 ness shall reign overus. Let not the 
sinner say that he hath not sinned: 
for he shall burn coals of fire upon his 
head, which saith, I have not sinned 
54 before God and his glory. Behold, the 
Lord knoweth all the works of men, 
their imaginations, their thoughts, 
55 and their hearts. Who said, Let the 
earth be made ; and it was made: Let 
the heaven be made; and it was made. 
56 And at his word were the stars estab- 
lished, and he knoweth the number of 
57 the stars. Who searcheth the deep, 
and the treasures thereof; he hath 
measured the sea, and what it con- 
58 taineth. Who hath shut the sea in 
the midst of the waters, and with his 
word hath he hanged the earth upon 
59 the waters. Who spreadeth out the 


37 





16. 59. 














| 





TOBIT. 


1. 14. 











heaven like a vault; upon the waters 
60 hath he founded it. Who hath made 
in the desert springs of water, and 
pools upon the tops of the mountains, 
to send forth rivers from the height to 
61 water the earth. Who framed man, 
and put a heart in the midst of the 
body, and gave him breath, life, and 
62 understanding, yea, the spirit of God 
Almighty. He who made all things, 
and searcheth out hidden things in 
63 hidden places, surely he knoweth 
your imagination, and what ye think 
in your hearts. Woe to them that 
sin, and would fain hide their sin! 
64 Forasmuch as the Lord will exactly 
search out all your works, and he will 
65 put you all to shame. And when 
your sins are brought forth before 
men, ye shall be ashamed, and your 
own iniquities shall stand as your 
66 accusers in that day. What will ye 
do? or how will ye hide your sins be- 
67 fore God and his angels? Behold, 
God is the judge, fear him: leave off 
from your sins, and forget your ini- 
quities, to meddle no more with them 
for ever: so shall God lead you forth, 
and deliver you from all tribulation. 
68 For, behold, the burning wrath of a 
great multitude is kindled over you, 
and they shall take away certain of 





you, and feed you with that which is 
69 slain unto idols. And they that con- 
sent unto them shall be had in deri- 
sion and in reproach, and be trodden 
70 under foot of them. For there shall 
be tin divers places, and in the next 
cities, a great insurrection upon those 
71thatfear the Lord. They shall be like 
mad men, sparing none, but spoiling 
and destroying them that still fear the 
72 Lord. For they shall waste and take 
away their goods, and cast them out 
735 of their houses. Then shall be mani- 
fest the trial of mine elect; even as 
the gold that is tried in the fire. 
74 Hear, O ye mine elect, saith the Lord: 
behold, the days of tribulation are at 
hand, and I will deliver you from 
75 them. Be yenot afraid, neither doubt ; 
76for God is your guide: and ye who 
keep my commandments and pre- 
cepts, saith the Lord God, let not your 
sins weigh you down, and let not your 
77 iniquities lift up themselves. Woe 
unto them that are fast bound with 
their sins, and covered with their ini- 
quities, like as a field is fast bound 
with bushes, and the path thereof 
covered with thorns, that no man 
78may travel through! *?It is even 
shut off,and given up to be consumed 
of fire. 





Fred bn OE i GS 


1 THE book of the words of Tobit, the 
son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the 
son of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the 
seed of Asiel, of the tribe of Naphtali; 

2 who in the days of 1 Enemessar king 
of the Assyrians was carried away 
eaptive out of Thisbe, which is on the 
right hand of Kedesh Naphtali in 
Galilee above Asher. 

3 I Tobit walked in the ways of truth 
and righteousness all the days of my 
life, and I did many almsdeeds to my 
brethren and my nation, who went 
with me into the land of the Assyri- 

4 ans, to Nineveh. And when I was in 
mine own country, in the Jand of Is- 
rael, while I was yet young, all the 
tribe of Naphtali my father fell away 
from the house of Jerusalem, which 
was chosen out of all the tribes of 
Israel, that all the tribes should sac- 
rifice there, and the temple of the 
habitation of the Most High was hal- 
lowed and built therein for all ages. 

5 And all the tribes which fell away 
together sacrificed to the heifer Baal, 
and so did the house of Naphtali my 

6father. And I alone went often to 


38 





Jerusalem at the feasts, as it hath 
been ordained unto all Israel by an 
everlasting decree, having the first- 
fruits and the tenths of mine increase, 
and that which was first shorn; and 

I gave them at the altar to the priests 

7 the sons of Aaron. The tenth part 
of all mine increase I gave to the sons 

of Levi, who ministered at Jerusalem: 
and the second tenth part I sold away, 
and went, and spent it each year at 

8 Jerusalem: and the third I gave unto 
them to whom it was meet, as Deborah 
my father’s mother had commanded 
me, because I was left an orphan by 
Q9my father. And when I became a 
man, I took to wife Anna of the 
seed of our own family, and of her I 
10 begat Tobias. And when I was car- 
ried away captive to Nineveh, all my 
brethren and those that were of my 
kindred did eat of the bread of the 
11 Gentiles: but I kept myself from eat- 
12 ing, because I remembered God with 
13 allmy soul. And the Most High gave 
me grace and 2favour in the sight of 
Enemessar, and I was his purveyor. 
14 And I went into Media, and left in 








1 The 
Latin 
is un- 


certain, 


2 Gr. 
beauty. 

















TOBIT. 





‘ 


e 





16 go into Media. 


20 drew myself for fear. 


2my brother Anael’s son. 


trust with Gabael, the brother of Ga- 
brias, at Rages of Media, ten talents 
of silver. 


15 And when Enemessar was dead, 


Sennacherib his son reigned in his 
Scene 1jn his time the highways 
were troubled, and I could no more 
And in the days of 
Enemessar I did many almsdeeds to 


17 my brethren: I gave my bread to 


the hungry, and my garments to the 
naked: and if Isaw any of my race 
dead, and cast forth *on the wall of 


18 Nineveh, I buried him. And if Sen- 


nacherib the king slew any, when he 
came fleeing from Judza, I buried 
them privily; for in his wrath he slew 
many; and the bodies were sought 
for by the king, and were not found. 


19 But one of the Ninevites went and 


shewed to the king concerning me, 
how that I buried them, and hid my- 
self; and when I knew that I was 
sought for to be put to death, I with- 
And all my 
goods were forcibly taken away, and 
there was nothing left unto me, save 
my wife Anna and my son Tobias. 


21 And there passed not five and fifty 


days, before two of his sons slew him, 
and they fied into the mountains of 
Ararat. And 4 his..son 
reigned in his stead; and he appointed 
over all the accounts of his kingdom, 


and over all his affairs, Scbiachanis 
d Achia- 


charus made request for me, and I 
came to Nineveh. Now Achiacharus 
was cupbearer, and keeper of the sig- 
net, and steward, and overseer of the 
accounts ; and Sarchedonus appoint- 
ed him next unto himself: but he was 
my brother’s son. 


2, Now when I was come home again, 


and my wife Anna was restored unto 
me, and my son Tobias, in the feast 
of Pentecost, which is the holy feast 
of the seven weeks, there was a good 
dinner prepared me, and I sat down 


2to eat. And I saw abundance of 


meat, and I said to my son, Go and 
bring what poor man soever thou shalt 
find of our brethren, who is mindful 
of the Lord; and, lo, I tarry for thee. 


3 And he came, and said, Father, one of 


our race is strangled, and is east out 


4in the marketplace. And before I had 


tasted aught, I sprang up, and took 
_him up into a chamber until the sun 


5 was set. And I returned, and washed 


myself, and ate my bread in heavi- 


6 ness, and remembered the prophecy 


of Amos, as he said, 
* Your feasts shall be turned into 
mourning, 
And all your mirth into lamenta- 
tion. 


7 And I wept: and when the sun was 


set, I went and made a grave, and bu- 


8ried him. And my neighbours mock- 
39 





ed me, and said, He is no longer afraid 
to be put to death for this matter: 
and yet he fled away: and, lo, he buri- 
9eth the dead again. And the same 
night I returned from burying him, 
and slept by the wall of my courtyard, 
being polluted; and my face was un- 


10 covered: and I knew notthat there 


were sparrows in the wall; and, mine 
eyes being open, the sparrows muted 
warm dung into mine eyes, and white 
films came in mine eyes; and I went 
to the physicians, and they helped 
me not: but Achiacharus did nourish 
me, * until I went into Elymais. 


11 And my wife Anna did spin in the 
12 women’s chambers, and did send the 


work back to the owners. And they 
on their part paid her wages, and gave 


13 her also besides a kid. But when it 


came to my house, it began to ery, 
and I said unto her, From whence is 
this kid? is it stolen? render it to the 
owners; for it is not lawful to eat 


14 anything that isstolen. But she said, 


It hath been given me for a gift more 
than the wages. And I did not be- 
lieve her, and I bade her render it to 
the owners; and I was abashed at 
her. Butshe answered and said unto 
me, Where are thine alms and thy 
righteous deeds? behold, *thou and 
all thy works are known. 


3 And I was grieved and wept, and 


prayed in sorrow, saying, 

2 O Lord, thou art righteous, and all 
thy works and all thy ways are mercy 
and truth, and thou judgest true and 

8righteous judgement for ever. Re- 
member me, and look on me; take 
not vengeance on me for my sins and 
mine ignorances, and the sins of my 
fathers, which sinned before thee: 

4for they disobeyed thy command- 
ments ; and thou gavest us for a spoil, 
and for captivity, and for death, and 
for a proverb of reproach to all the 
nations among whom we are dispers- 
5ed. And now many are thy judge- 
ments, true are they ; that thou should- 
est deal with me according to my sins 
and the sins of my fathers: because 
we did not keep thy commandments, 
for we walked not in truth before 


6 thee.. And now deal with me accord- 


ing to that which is pleasing in thy 
sight, command my spirit to be taken 
from me, that I may be released, and 
become earth: for it is profitable for 
me to die rather than to live, because 
I have heard false reproaches, and 
there is much sorrow in me: com- 
mand that I be now released from 
my distress, and go to the everlasting 
place: turn not thy face away from 


me. 
7 The same day it happened unto Sa- 
rah the. daughter of Raguel in Ecba- 
tana of Media, that she also was 
reproached by her father’s. maidser- 





2 














TOBIT. 


4, 19. 








1 Gr. 
demon. 


2 Gr. 
Hades. 


3 Gr. 7. 





8 vants; because that she had been 
given to seven husbands, and Asmo- 
dzeus the evil‘ spirit slew them, be- 
fore they had lain with her. And they 
said unto her, Dost thou not know 
that thou stranglest thy husbands? 
thou hast had already seven husbands, 
and thou hast had no profit of any one 

9 of them. Wherefore dost thou scourge 
us? if they be dead, go thy ways with 
them; let us never see of thee either 

10son or daughter. When she heard 
these things, she was grieved exceed- 
ingly, so that she thought to have 
hanged herself: and she said, I am the 
only daughter of my father; if I do 
this, it shall be a reproach unto him, 
and I shall bring down his old age 
11 with sorrow to ?the grave. And she 
prayed by the window, and said, 


dead, bury her by me in one grave. 
5 My child, be mindful of the Lord our 
God all thy days, and let not thy will 
be set to sin and to transgress his 
commandments: do righteousness all 
the days of thy life, and follow not the 
6 ways of unrighteousness. Forif thou 
doest the truth, thy doings shall pro- 
sperously succeed to thee, and to all 
7them that do righteousness. Give 
alms of thy substance ; and when thou 
givest alms, let not thine eye be envi- 
ous : turn not away thy face from any 
poor man, and the face of God shall 
8 not be turned away from thee. As thy 
substance is, give alms of it according 
to thine abundance: if thou have little, 
be not afraid to give alms according to 
9 that little : for thou layest up a good 
treasure for thyself against the day 


Blessed art thou, O Lord my God, and | 10 of necessity: because alms delivereth 


blessed is thy holy and honourable 


from death, and suffereth not to come 


name for ever: let all thy works praise | 11 into darkness. Alms is a good gift in 


12 thee for ever. And now, Lord, I have 


the sight of the Most High for all that 


set mine eyes and my face toward | 12 give it. Beware, my child, of all whore- 


13thee: command that I be released 
fromthe earth, and that I no more 
14 hear reproach. Thou knowest, Lord, 
that I am pure from all sin with man, 
15 and that I never polluted my name, 
nor the name of my father, in the land 
of my captivity : I am the only daugh- 
ter of my father, and he hath no child 
that shall be his heir, nor brother near 


dom, and take first a wife of the seed 
of thy fathers, and take not a strange 
wife, which is not of thy father’s tribe: 
for we are the sons of the prophets. 
Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, our fa- 
thers of old time, remember, my child, 
that they all took wives of their bre- 
thren, and were blessed in their ehil- 
dren, and their seed shall inherit the 


him, nor son belonging to him, that I| 13 land. And now, my child, love thy 


should keep myself for a wife unto 
him: seven husbands of mine are dead 
already; why should I live? And if 
it pleaseth thee not to slay me, com- 
mand some regard to be had of me, 
and pity taken of me, and that I hear 
no more reproach. 


brethren, and scorn not in thy heart 
thy. brethren, and the sons and the 
daughters of thy people, to take a wife 
of them: for in scornfulness is destruc- 
tion and much trouble, and in naughti- 
ness is decay and great want: for 
naughtiness is the mother of famine. 


16 And the prayer of both was-heard | 14 Let not the wages of any man, which 


before the glory of the great God. 
17 Raphael also was sent to heal them 
both, to scale away the white films 
from Tobit’s eyes, and to give Sarah 
the daughter of Raguel for a wite to 
Tobias the son of Tobit; and to bind 


shall work for thee, tarry with thee, 
but render it unto him out of hand: 
and if thou serve God, recompense 
shall be made unto thee. Take heed 
to thyself, my child, in all thy works, 
and be discreet in all thy behaviour. 


odzeus the evil‘ spirit; because it | 15 And what thou thyself hatest, do to 


belonged to Tobias that he should in- 
herit her. The selfsame time did Tobit 


noman. Drink not wine unto drunk- 
enness, and let not drunkenness go 


return and enter into his house, and | 16 with thee on thy way. Give of thy 


Sarah the daughter of Raguel came 
down from her upper chamber. 

4 In that day Tobit remembered con- 
cerning the money which he had left 
in trust with Gabael in Rages of Me- 

2 dia, and he said in himself, I have 


bread to the hungry, and of thy gar- 
ments to them that are naked: of all 
thine abundance give alms; and let 
not thine eye be envious when thou 


17 givest alms. Pour out thy bread on 


the * burial of the just, and give no- 


asked for death; why do I not call my | 18 thing to sinners. Ask counsel of every 


son Tobias, that I may shew to him 


man that is wise, and despise not any 


3 of the money before I die? And he | 19 counsel thatis profitable. And bless 


called him, and said, 

My child, * when I die, bury me: and 
despise not thy mother ; honour her all 
the days of thy life, and do that which 
is pleasing unto her, and grieve her 

4not. Remember, my child, that she 
hath seen many dangers for thee, when 
thou wast in her womb. When she is 





40 


the Lord thy God at all times, and ask 
of him that thy ways may be made 
straight, and that all thy paths and 
counsels may prosper: for every nDa- 
tion hath not counsel; but the Lord 
himself giveth all good things, and he 
humbleth whom he will, as he will. 
And now, my child, remember my 


4 Or, 
tomb 














5. 16. 


TOBIT. 


6. 12. 








~ 





commandments, and let them not be 
20 blotted out of thy mind. And now I 
shew thee of the ten talents of silver, 
which I left in trust with Gabael the 
son of Gabrias at Rages of Media. 
21 And fear not, my child, because we 
are made poor: thou hast much 
wealth, if thou fear God, and depart 
from all sin, and do that which is 
pleasing in his sight. 
5 And Tobias answered and said unto 
him, Father, I will do all things, what- 
2 soever thou hast commanded me: but 
how shall I be able to receive the 
3 money, seeing I know him not? And 
he gave him the handwriting, and 


said unto him, Seek thee a which 
shall go with thee, an ill “give 


him wages, whiles I yet live: and go 
4 and receive the money. And he went 
to seek a man, and found Raphael 
5 which was an angel; and he knew it 
not; and he said unto him, Can I go 
with thee to Rages of Media? and 
6 knowest thou the places well? And 
the angel said unto him, I will go with 
thee, and I know the way well: and I 
have lodged with our brother Gabael. 
7 And Tobias said unto him, Wait for 
8 me, and I will tell my father. And 
he said unto him, Go, and tarry not. 
And he went in and said to his father, 
Behold, I have found one which will 
go with me. But he said, Call him 
unto me, that I may know of what 
tribe he is, and whether he be a trusty 
man to go with thee. 
9 And he called him, and he came in, 
10 and they saluted one another. And 
Tobit said unto him, Brother, of what 
tribe and of what family art thou? 
11Shew me. And he said unto him, 
Seekest thou a tribe and a family, or 
a hired man which shall go with thy 
son? And Tobit said unto him, I 
would know, brother, thy kindred and 
12 thy name. And he said, I am ias, 
the son of Ananias the great, of 
13 brethren. And he said unto him, Wel- 
come, brother; and be not angry with 
me, because I sought to know thy 
tribe and family: and thou art my 
brother, of an honest and good line- 
age: for I knew Ananias and Jathan, 
the sons of Shemaiah the great, when 
we went together to Jerusalem to 
worship, and offered the firstborn, 
and the tenths of our increase; and 
they went not astray in the error of 
our brethren: my brother, thou art 
14 0f a great stock. But tell me, what 
wages shall I give thee? a drachma 
a day, and those things that be neces- 
15 sary for thee, as unto my son? And 
moreover, if ye return safe and sound, 
I will add something to thy wages. 
16 And so they consented. And he said 
to Tobias, Prepare thyself for the jour- 
ney, and God prosper you. And his 
son prepared what was needful for 


41 





the journey, and his father said unto 
him, Go thou with this man; but God, 
which dwelleth in heaven, shall pro- 
sper your journey; and may his angel 
go with you. And they both went 
forth to depart,and the young man’s 
dog with them. ; 

17 But Anna his mother wept, and said 
to Tobit, Why hast thou sent away 
our child? is he not the staff of our 
hand, in going in and out before us? 

18 Be not greedy to add money to money: 
but let it be as refuse in respect of 

19 our child. For as the Lord hath given 

20 us to live, so doth it suffice us. And 
Tobit said to her, Take no care, my 
sister ; he shall return safe and sound, 

21 and thine eyes shall see him. For a 
good angel shall go with him, and his 
journey shall be prospered, and he 

22 shall return safe and sound. And she 
made an end of weeping. 

6 Now as they went on their journey, 
they came at eventide to the river 

2 Tigris, and they lodged there. But 
the young man went down to wash 
himself, and a fish leaped out of the 
river, and would have swallowed up 

3 the young man. But the angel said 
unto him, Take hold on the fish. And 
the young man caught hold of the fish, 

4and cast it up on the land. And the 
angel said unto him, Cut the fish open, 
and take the heart and the liver and 

5 the gall, and put them up safely. And 
the young man did as the angel com- 
manded him; but they roasted the 
fish, and ate it. And they both went 
on their way, till they drew near to 

6 Ecbatana. And the young man said 
tothe angel, Brother Azarias, to what 
use is the heart and the liver and the 

7 gallofthe fish? And he said unto him, 
Touching the heart and the liver, if a 
1devil or an evil spirit trouble any, 
we must make a smoke thereof before 
the man or the woman, and the party 

8 shall be no more vexed. But as for 
the gall, it is good to anoint a man 
that hath white films in his eyes, and 
he shall be healed. 

9 But when they drew nigh unto Rages, 

10 the angel said to the young man, 
Brother, to-day we shall lodge with 
Raguel, and he is thy kinsman; and 
he hath an only daughter, named Sa- 
rah. I will speak for her, that she 

11 should be given thee for a wife. For 
to thee doth the inheritance of her 
appertain, and thou only art of her 

12 kindred: and the maid is fair and 
wise. And now hear me, and I will 
speak to her father; and when we 
return from Rages we will celebrate 
the marriage: for I know that Raguel 
may in no wise marry her to another 
according to the law of Moses, or else 
he shall be liable to death, because it 
appertaineth unto thee to take the 
inheritance, rather than any other. 

D* 


1 Gr. 
demon. 

















TOBIT. 


8. 11. 





2Gr. wf. 





13 Then the young man said unto the 
angel, Brother Azarias, I have heard 
that this maid hath been given to 
seven men, and that they all perished 

14 in the bride-chamber. And nowlam. 
the only son of my father, and I am 
afraid, lest I go in and die, even as 
those before me: for a !devil loveth 
her, which hurteth no man, but those 
which come unto her: and now I fear 
lest I die, and bring my father’s and 
my mother’s life to the grave with 
sorrow because of me: and they have 

15 no other son to bury them. But the 
angel said unto him, Dost thou not 
remember the words which thy father 
commanded thee, that thou shouldest 
take a wife of thine own kindred ? and 
now hear me, brother; for she shall 
be thy wife; and make thou no reck- 
oning of the devil; for this night shall 

16 she be given thee to wife. And 2 when 
thou shalt come into the bride-cham- 
ber, thou shalt take the ashes of in- 
cense, and shalt lay upon them some 
of the heart and liver of the fish, and 

17 shalt make a smoke therewith: and 
the devil shall smell it, and flee away, 
and never come again any more. But 
when thou goest nigh unto her, rise 
up both of you, and ery to God which 
is merciful, and he shall save you, and 
have mercy on you. Fear not, for she 
was prepared for thee from the begin- 
ning; and thou shalt save her, and 
she shall go with thee. And I sup- 
pose that thou shalt have children of 
her. And when Tobias heard these 
things, he loved her, and his soul clave 
to her exceedingly. 

7 And they came to Ecbatana, and 
arrived at the house of Raguel. But 
Sarah met them; and she saluted 
them, and they her; and she brought 

2 them into the house. And he said to 
Edna his wife, How like is the young 
3 man to Tobit my cousin. And Raguel 
asked them, From whence are ye, 
brethren? And they said unto him, 
We are of the sons of Naphtali, which 
4 are captives in Nineveh. And he said 
unto them, Know ye Tobjt our bro- 
ther? But they said, We know him. 
And he said unto them, Is he in good 
5health? But they said; He is both 
alive, and in good health: and Tobias 
6 said, He is my father. And Raguel 
sprang up, and kissed him, and wept, 
7 and blessed him, and said unto him, 
Thou art the son of an honest and 
good man. And when he had heard 
that Tobit had lost his sight, he was 
8 grieved, and wept; and Edna his wife 
and Sarah his daughter wept. And 
they received them gladly; and they 
killed a ram of the flock, and set store 
of meat before them. 
But Tobias said to Raphael, Brother 
Azarias, speak of those things of which 
thou didst talk in the way, and let the 





42 


12 nant with me. 


9matter be finished. And he commu- 
nicated the thing to Raguel: and Ra- 
guel said to Tobias, Eat and drink, 
10 and make merry : for it appertaineth 
unto thee to take my child. Howbeit 
111 will shew thee the truth. I have 
given my child to seven men, and 
whensoever they came in unto her, 
they died in the night. But for the 
present be merry. And Tobias said, 

I will taste nothing here, until ye 
make covenant and enter into cove- 
And Raguel said, 
Take her to thyself from henceforth 
according to the manner: thou art 
her brother, and she is thine: but the 
merciful God shall give all good suc- 
13 cess to you. And he called his daugh- 
ter Sarah, and took her by the hand, 
and gave her to be wife to Tobias, 
and said, Behold, take her to thyself 
after the law of Moses, and lead her 
away to thy father. And he blessed 


14them; and he called Edna his wife, 


and took a book, and wrote an instru- 


15 ment, and sealed it. And they began 


to eat. 


16 And Raguel called his wife Edna, 


and said unto her, Sister, prepare the 
other chamber, and bring her in 
17 thither. And she did as he bade her, 
and brought her in thither: and she 
wept, and she received the tears of 
18 her daughter, and said unto her, Be 
of good comfort, my child; the Lord 
of heaven and earth give thee * favour 
for this thy sorrow: be of good com- 
fort, my daughter. 
8 And when they had finished their 
supper, they brought Tobias in unto 
2her. But as he went, he remembered 
the words of Raphael, and took the 
ashes of the incense, and put the heart 
and the liver of the fish thereupon, 
3and made a smoke therewith. But 
when the ¢ devil smelled the smell, he 
fled into the uppermost parts of Egypt, 
4and the angel bound him. But after 
they were both shut in together, To- 
bias rose up from the bed, and said, 
Sister, arise, and let us pray that the 
5 Lord may have merey on us. And 
Tobias began to say, Blessed art thou, 
O God of our fathers, and blessed is 
thy holy and glorious name for ever; 
let the heavens bless thee, and all thy 
6 creatures. Thou madest Adam, and 
gavest him Eve his wife for a helper 
and a stay: of them came the seed of 
men: thou didst say, It is not good 
that the man should be alone; let us 
make him a helper like unto him. 
7 And now, O Lord,-I take not this my 
sister for lust, but in truth: command 
that I may find mercy and grow old 
8 with her. And she said with him, 
9 Amen. And they slept both that night. 
And Raguel arose, and went and 
10 digged a grave, saying, Lest he also 
1ishould die. And Raguel came into 


3 Many 

ancient 

authori- 
ties read 
Joy. 


4 Gr. 
demon. 

















TOBIT. 








12 his house, and said to Edna his wife, 
Send one of the maidservants, and let 
them see whether he be alive: but if 

not, that we may bury him, and no 

13 man know it. So the maidservant 
opened the door, and went in, and 

14 found them both sleeping, and came 
forth, and told them that he was alive. 

15 And Raguel blessed God, saying, 

Blessed art thou, O God, with all 
pure and holy blessing; and let thy 
_ saints blessthee, andall thy creatures; 
and let all thine angels and thine elect 

16 bless thee for ever. 
because thou hast made me glad; and 
it hath not befallen me as I suspected; 
but thou hast dealt with us according 

17 to thy great mercy. Blessed art thou, 
because thou hast had mercy on two 
that were the only begotten children 
of their parents : shew them mercy, O 
Lord; accomplish their life in health 
with gladness and mercy. 

18 But he commanded his servants to 

19 fill the grave. And he kept the wed- 
ding feast for them fourteen days. 

20 And before the days of the wedding 
feast were finished, Raguel sware unto 
him, that he should not depart till 
the fourteen days of the wedding feast 

21 were fulfilled; and that then he should 
take the half of his goods, and go in 
safety to his father ; and the rest, said 
he, when I and my wife shall die. 

9 And Tobias called Raphael, and said 

2 unto him, Brother Azarias, take with 
thee a servant, and two camels, and 
go to Rages of Media to Gabael, and 
receive the money for me, and bring 

3him to the wedding feast: because 
Raguel hath sworn that I shall not 

4 depart; and my father counteth the 
days ; and if I tarry long, he will be 

5 sorely grieved. And Raphael went on 
his way, and lodged with Gabael, and 
gave him the handwriting: but he 
brought forth the bags with their seals, 

6 and gave them to him. And they rose 
up early in the morning together, and 
came tothe wedding feast: and Tobias 
blessed his wife. 

10 And Tobit his father made his count 
every day: and when the days of the 
journey were expired, and they came 

2not, he said, Is he perchance de- 
tained? or is Gabael perchance dead, 
and there is no man to give him the 
3money? And he was sorely grieved. 
4 But his wife said unto him, The child 
hath perished, seeing he tarrieth long; 
and she began to bewail him, and said, 
5?I care for nothing, my child, since I 
have let thee go, the light of mine eyes. 
6 And Tobit saith unto her, Hold thy 
peace, take no care; he is in good 
7 health. And she said unto him, Hold 
thy peace, deceive me not; my child 
hath perished. And she went out 
every day into the way by which they 
went, and did eat no bread in the day- 


Blessed art thou, |. 





time, and ceased not whole nights to 
bewail her son Tobias, until the four- 
teen days of the wedding feast were 
expired, which Raguel had sworn that 
he should spend there. 
But Tobias said unto Raguel, Send 
me away, for my father and my mother 
8 look no more to see me. But his fa- 
ther in law said unto him, Abide with 
me, and I will send to thy father, and 
they shall declare unto him how things 
9 go with thee. And Tobias saith, No; 

10 but send me away to my father. But 
Raguel arose, and gave him Sarah his 
wife, and half his goods, servants and 

11 eattleand money; andhe blessed them, 
and sent them away, saying, The God 
of heaven shall prosper you, my chil- 

12 dren, before I die. And he said to his 
daughter, Honour thy father and thy 
mother in law ; they are now thy par- 
ents; let me hear a good report of 
thee. And he kissed her. And Edna 
said to Tobias, The Lord of heaven 
restore thee, dear brother, and grant 
to me that I may see thy children of 
my daughter Sarah, that I may rejoice 
before the Lord: and, behold, I commit 
my daughter unto thee in special 
trust: vex her not. 

11 After these things Tobias also went 
his way, blessing God because he had 
prospered his journey ; and he blessed 
Raguel and Edna his wife. And he 
went on his way till they drew near 

2 unto Nineveh. And Raphaelsaid to 
Tobias, Knowest thou not, brother, 
3 how thou didst leave thy father? Let 
us run forward before thy wife, and 
4 prepare the house. But take in thy 
hand the gall of the fish. And they 
wenttheir way, and the dog went after 
5them. And Anna sat looking about 
6 toward the way for her son. Andshe 
espied him coming, and said to his 
father, Behold, thy son cometh, and 
7the'man that went with him. And 
Raphael said, I know, Tobias, that 
8thy father will open his eyes. Do 
thou therefore anoint his eyes with the 
gall, and being pricked therewith, he 
shall rub, and shall make the white 
films to fall away, and he sball see 
thee. 
9 And Annaran unto him, and fell upon 
the neck of her son, and said unto him, 
I haveseen thee, my child; from hence- 
forth I will die. And they wept both. 

10 And Tobit went forth toward the door, 
and stumbled: but his son ran unto 

11 him, and took hold of his father: and 
he strake the gall on his father’s eyes, 
saying, Be of good cheer, my father. 

12 But when his eyes began to smart, 

13 he rubbed them; and the white films 
sealed away from the corners of his 
eyes; and he saw his son, and fell up- 

140n his neck. And he wept, and said, 
Blessed art thou, O God, and blessed 
is thy name for ever, and blessed are 


43 





11. 14. 











12. 13. 


TOBIT. 


13. 6. 











15 all thy holy angels; for thou didst 
scourge, and didst have mercy on me: 
behold, I see my son Tobias. And his 
son went in rejoicing, and told his 
father the great things that had hap- 
pened to him in Media. 

16 And Tobit went out to meet his 
daughter in law at the gate of Nine- 
veh, rejoicing, and blessing God: and 
they which saw him go marvelled, be- 

17 cause he had received his sight. And 
Tobit gave thanks before them, be- 
cause God had shewed mercy on him. 
And when Tobit came near to Sarah 
his daughter in law, he blessed her, 
saying, Welcome, daughter: blessed 
is God which hath brought thee unto 
us, and blessed are thy father and thy 
mother. And there was joy to all 
his brethren which were at Nineveh. 

18 And Achiacharus, and Nasbas his 

19 brother’s son, came: and Tobias’ 
wedding feast was kept seven days 
with great gladness. 

12 And Tobit called his son Tobias, and 
said unto him, See, my child, that the 
man which went with thee have his 
wages, and thou must give him more. 

2 And he said unto him, Father, it is no 
harm to me to give him the half of 
those things which I have brought: 

3 for he hath led me for thee in safety, 
and he cured my wife, and brought 
my money, and likewise cured thee. 

4 And the old man said, It is due unto 

5him. And he called the angel, and 
said unto him, Take the half of all 

6that ye have brought. Then he 
called them both privily, and said 
unto them, 

Bless God, and give him thanks, and 
magnify him, and give him thanks in 
the sight of all that live, for the things 
which he hath done with you. It is 
good to bless God and exalt his name, 
shewing forth with honour the works 
of God; and be not slack to give him 

7 thanks. It is good to keep close the 
secret of a king, but to reveal glori- 
ously the works of God. Do good, 

8 and evil shall not find you. Good is 
prayer with fasting and alms and 
righteousness. A little with right- 
eousness is better than much with un- 
righteousness. It is better to give 

9 alms than to lay up gold: alms doth 
deliver from death, and it shall purge 
away allsin. They that do alms and 
righteousness shall be filled with life ; 

10 but they that sin are enemies to their 

11 own life. Surely I will keep close no- 
thing from you. I have said, It is 
good to keep close the secret of a 
king, but to reveal gloriously the 

12 works of God. And now, when thou 
didst pray, and Sarah thy daughter 
in law, I did bring the memorial of 
your prayer before the Holy One: 
and when thou didst bury the dead, 

13 I was with thee likewise. And when 





thou didst not delay to rise up, and 
leave thy dinner, that thou mightest 
go and cover the dead, thy good deed 
was not hid from me: but I was with 
14 thee. And now God did send me to 
heal thee and Sarah thy daughter in 
15 law. Iam Raphael, one of the seven 
holy angels, which present the prayers 
of the saints, and go in before the 
glory of the Holy One. 
16 And they were both troubled, and fell 
upon their faces ; for they were afraid. 
17 And he said unto them, Be not afraid, 
ye shall have peace; but bless God 
18 for ever. For not of any favour of 
mine, but by the will of your God I 
came ; wherefore bless him for ever. 
19 All these days did I appear unto you; 
and I did neither eat nor drink, but 
20 ye saw a vision. And now give God 
thanks: because I ascend to him that 
sent me: and write in a book all the 
21 things which have been done. And 
they rose up, and saw him no more. 
22 And they confessed the great and 
wonderful works of God, and how 
the angel of the Lord had appeared 
unto them. 
18 And Tobit wrote a prayer for re- 
joicing, and said, 
Blessed is God that liveth for ever, 
And blessed is his kingdom. 
2 For he scourgeth, and sheweth 
mercy : 
He leadeth down to! the grave, and 
bringeth up again: 
And there is none that shall escape 
his hand. 
3 Give thanks unto him before the 
Gentiles, ye children of Israel: 
For he hath scattered us among 
them. 
4 There declare his greatness, 
And extol him before all the living: 
Because he is our Lord, 
And God is our Father for ever. 
5 And he will scourge us for our ini- 
quities, and will again shew 


merey, 

And will gather us out of all the 
nations among whom ye are scat- 
tered. 

6 Ifyeturn tohim with your whole 
heart and with your whole soul, 

To do truth before him, 

Then will he turn unto you, 

And will not hide his face from 


you. 

And see what he will do with you, 

And give him thanks with your 
whole mouth, 

And bless the Lord of righteous- 
ness, 

And exalt the everlasting King. 

I in the land of my captivity give 
him thanks, 

And shew his strength and majesty 
to a nation of sinners. 

Turn, ye sinners, and do righteous- 
ness before him: 


44 


1 Gr. 
Hades. 














“¥ 


>} 


TOBIT. 











Who can tell if he will accept you 
and have mercy on you? ~ 
7 ILexalt my God, 
And my soul doth exalt the King of 
heaven, 
And it shall rejoice in his greatness. 
Let all men speak, and let them 
give him thanks in Jerusalem. 
9 O Jerusalem, the holy city, 

He will scourge thee for the works 
of thy sons, 

And will again have mercy on the 
sons of the righteous. 

Give thanks to the Lord with good- 
ness, 

And bless the everlasting King, 

That his tabernacle may be builded 

. in thee again with joy, 

And that he may make glad in thee 
those that are captives, 

And love in thee for ever those that 
are miserable. 

Many nations shall come from far to 
the name of the Lord God 

With gifts in their hands, even gifts 
to the King of heaven; 

Generations of generations shall 
praise thee, 

And sing songs of rejoicing. 

Cursed are all they that hate thee; 

Blessed shall be all they that love 
thee for ever. 

Rejoice and be exceeding glad for 
the sons of the righteous: 

For they shall be gathered together 
and shall bless the Lord of the 
(sete 
O blessed are they that love thee ; 

They shall rejoice for thy peace: 

Blessed are all they that sorrowed 
for all thy scourges: 

Because they shall rejoice for thee, 

When they have seen all thy glory ; 

And they shall be made glad for ever. 

Letmy soul bless Godthe great King. 

For Jerusalem shall be builded 
with sapphires and emeralds and 

precious stones ; 

Thy walls and towers and battle- 
ments with pure gold. 

And the streets of Jerusalem shall 
be paved with beryl and car- 
buncle and stones of Ophir. 

And all her streets shall say, Hal- 
lelujah, and give praise, 

Saying, Blessed is God, which hath 
exalted thee for ever. 

14 And Tobit made an end of giving 
. And he was eight and fifty 
pbs old when he lost his sight; and 
after eight years he received it again: 
and he gave alms, and he feared the 
Lord God more and more, and gave 
thanks unto him. 

3 Now he grew very old ; and he called 
his son, and the six sons of his son, 
and said unto 

My child, take thy sons: behold, Iam 
grown old, and am ready to depart 
4out of this life. Go into Media, my 


10 


11 


12 


13 


14 


15 
16 


17 


18 





child, for I surely believe all the things 
which Jonah the prophet spake of 
Nineveh, that it shall be overthrown, 
but in Media there shall rather be 
peace for a season; and that our bre- 
thren shall be scattered in the earth 
from the good land; and Jerusalem 
shall be desolate, and the house of 
God init shall be burned up, and shall 
5 be desolate fora time; and God shall 
again have mercy on them, and bring 
them back into the land, and they shall 
build the house, but not like to the 
former house, until the times of that 
age be fulfilled; and afterward they 
shall return from the places of their 
eaptivity, and build up Jerusalem 
with honour, and the house of God 
shall be built in it for ever with a glo- 
rious building, even as the prophets 
6 spake concerning it. And all the na- 
tions shall turn to fear the Lord God 
7 truly, and shall bury their idols. And 
all the nations shall bless the Lord, 
and his people shall give thanks unto 
God, and the Lord shall exalt his 
people; and all they that love the 
Lord God in truth and righteousness 
shall rejoice, shewing mercy to our 
8 brethren. And now, my child, depart 
from Nineveh, because those things 
which the prophet Jonah spake shall 
9 surely come to pass. But keep thou 
the law and the ordinances, and shew 
thyself merciful and righteous, that 
10 it may be well with thee. And bury 
me decently, and thy mother with me; 
and dwell ye no longer at Nineveh. 
See, my child, what Aman did to Achi- 
acharus that nourished him, how out 
of light he brought him into dark- 
ness, and all the recompense that 
he made him: and Achiacharus was 
saved, but the other had his recom- 
pense, and he went down into dark- 
ness. Manasses gave alms, and es- 
caped the snare of death which he 
set for him: but Aman fell into the 
lilsnare,and perished. And now, my 
children, consider what alms doeth, 
and how righteousness doth deliver. 
And while he was saying these 
things, he gave up the ghost in the 
bed; but he was a hundred and eight 
and fifty years old ;and he buried him 
12 magnificently. And when Anna died, 
he buried her with his father. But To- 
bias departed with his wife and his 
sons to Ecbatana unto Raguel his fa- 
13 ther in law, and he grew old in honour, 
and he buried his father and mother 
in law magnificently, and he inherited 
their substance, and his father Tobit’s. 
14 And he died at Ecbatana of Media, 
being a hundred and seven and twenty 
15 years old. And before he died he 
heard of the destruction of Nineveh, 
which Nebuchadnezzar and Ahasu- 
erus took captive; and before his 
death he rejoiced over Nineveh. 


45 





14, 15. 

















JUDITH. 


1 In the twelfth year of the reign of 
Nebuchadnezzar, who reigned. over 
the Assyrians in..Nineveh,the great 
city ; fi the days of Arphaxad, who 
reigned over the Medes in Ecbatana, 

2 and built at Ecbatana and round about 
it walls of hewn stones three cubits 
broad and six cubits long, and made 
the height of the wall seventy cubits, 
and the breadth thereof fifty cubits ; 

3 and set the towers thereof at the gates 
thereof, a hundred cubits high, and 
the breadth thereof in the foundation 

4 threescore cubits ; and made the gates 
thereof, even gates that were raised to 
the height of seventy cubits, and the 
breadth of them forty cubits, for the 
going forth of his mighty hosts, and 
the setting in array of his footmen: 

5 even in those days king Nebuchadnez- 
zar made war with king Arphaxad in 
the great plain: this plain is in the 

6 borders of Ragau. And there came to 
meet him all that dwelt in the hill 
country, and all that dwelt by Euphra- 
tes, and Tigris, and Hydaspes, and in 
the plain of Arioch the king of the 
Elymzans; and many nations of the 
sons of Chelod assembled themselves 
to the battie. 

7 And Nebuchadnezzar king of the As- 
syrians sent unto all that dwelt in 
Persia, and to all that dwelt westward, 
to those that dwelt in Cilicia and Da- 
mascus and Libanus and Antilibanus, 
and to all that dwelt over against the 

8 sea coast, and to those among the na- 
tions that were of Carmel and Gilead, 
and to the higher Galilee and the great 

9plain of Esdraelon, and to all that 
were in Samaria and the cities thereof, 
and beyond Jordan unto Jerusalem, 
and Betane, and Chellus,and Kadesh, 
and the river of Egypt, and Tahpan- 
hes, and Rameses, and all the land of 

10 Goshen, untilthoucomest above Tanis 
and Memphis, and to all that dwelt in 
Egypt, until thou comest to the bor- 

11 ders of Ethiopia. And all they that 
dwelt inall the land made light of the 
commandment of Nebuchadnezzar 
king of the Assyrians, and went not 
with him to the war; for they were 
not afraid of him, but he was before 
them as one man; and they turned 
away his messengers from their pre- 
sence without. effect, and with dis- 
grace. 

12 And Nebuchadnezzar was exceeding 
wroth with all this land, and he sware 
by his throne and kingdom, that he 
would surely be avenged upon all the 


46 





coasts of Cilicia and Damascus and 
Syria, that he would slay with his 


sword all the inhabitants of the land |}: 


of Moab, and the children of Ammon, 
and all Judea, and all that were in 
Egypt, until thou comest to the bor- 

13 ders of the two seas. And he set the 
battle in array with his host against 
king Arphaxad in the seventeenth 
year; and he preyailed in his battle, 
and turned to flight all the host of 
Arphaxad, and all his horse, and all 

14his chariots; and he became master 
of his cities, and he came even unto 
Ecbatana, and took the towers, and 
spoiled the streets thereof, and turned 

15 the beauty thereof into shame. And 
he took Arphaxad in the mountains 
of Ragau, and smote him through with 
his darts, and destroyed him utterly, 

16 unto this day. And he returned with 
them to Nineveh, he and all his com- 
pany of sundry nations, an exceeding 
great multitude of men of war, and 
there he took his ease and banqueted, 
he and his host, a hundred and twenty 
days. 

9, And in the eighteenth year, the two 
and twentieth day of the first month, 
there was talk in the house of Nebu- 
chadnezzar king of the Assyrians, 
that he should be avenged on all the 

2 land,even as he spake. And he called 
together all his servants, and all his 
great men, and communicated with 
them his secret counsel, and concluded 
the afflicting of all the land out of his 

3 own mouth. And they decreed to de- 
stroy all flesh which followed not the 

4 word of his mouth. And it came to 
pass, when he had ended his counsel, 
Nebuchadnezzar king of the Assyri- 
ans called Holofernes the chief cap- 
tain of his host, which was next after 
himself, and said unto him, 

5 Thus saith the great king, the lord of 
all the earth, Behold, thou shalt go 
forth from my presence, and take with 
thee men that trust in their strength, 
unto a hundred and twenty thousand 
footmen; and the number of horses 
with their riders twelve thousand: 

6 and thou shalt go forth against all the 
west country, because they disobeyed 

7 the commandment of my mouth. And 
thou shalt declare unto them, that 
they prepare earth and water ; because 
I will go forth in my wrath against 
them, and will cover the whole face of 
the earth with the feet of my host, and 
I will give them for a spoil unto them: 


8 and their slain shall fill their valleys 














2. 26. 


JUDITH. 


4, 3. 











and brooks, and the river shall be filled 
9 with their dead, till it overflow: and 
I will lead them captives to the ut- 

10 most parts of all the earth. But thou 
shalt go forth, and take beforehand 
for me all their coasts; and ‘if they 
shall yield themselves unto thee, then 
shalt thou reserve them for me till the 

11 day of their reproof. ‘But as for them 
that are disobedient, thine eye shall 
not spare ; but thou shalt give them up 

- to be slain and to be spoiled in all thy 
12land. ForasI live,and by the power 
of my kingdom, I have spoken, and I 

13 will do this with my hand. And thou, 
moreover, shalt not transgress aught 
of the commandments of thy lord, but 
thou shalt surely accomplish them, as 
I have commanded thee, and thou 
shalt not defer to do them. 

14 And Holofernes went forth from the 
“presence of his lord, and called all the 
governors and the captains and offi- 

15 cers of the host of Asshur; and he 
numbered chosen men for the battle, 
as his lord had commanded him, unto 
a hundred and twenty thousand, and 
twelve thousand archers on horse- 

16 back; and he ranged them, as a great 

17 multitude is ordered for the war. And 
he took camels and asses and mules 
for their baggage, an exceeding great 
multitude; and sheep and oxen and 
goats without number for their pro- 

18 vision; and great store of victual for 
every man, and exceeding much gold 
and silver out of the king’s house. 

19 And he went forth, he and all his host, 
on their journey, to go before king 
Nebuchadnezzar, and to cover all the 
face of the earth westward with their 
chariots and horsemen and chosen 

20footmen. And a great company of 
sundry nations went forth with them 
like locusts, and like the sand of the 
earth : for they could not be numbered 
by reason of their multitude. 

21 And they departed out of Nineveh 
three days’ journey toward the plain 
of Bectileth, and encamped from Bec- 
tileth near the mountain which is at 
the left hand of the upper Cilicia. 

22 And he took all his host, his footmen 
and horsemen and chariots, and went 

- away from thence into the hill coun- 

23 try, and destroyed Put and Lud, and 
spoiled all the children of Rasses, and 
the children of Ishmael, which were 
over against the wilderness to the 
south of the land of the Chellians. 

24 And he went over Euphrates, and 
went through Mesopotamia, and 
brake down all the high cities that 
were upon the river Arbonai, until 

25thou comest to the sea. And he 
took possession of the borders of 
Cilicia, and slew all that resisted him, 
and came unto the borders of Japheth, 
which were toward the south, over 

26 against Arabia. And he compassed 





about all the children of Midian, and 
set on fire their tents, and spoiled 

27 their sheepcotes. And he went down 
into the plain of Damascus in the 
days of wheat harvest, and set on fire 
all their fields, and utterly destroyed 
their flocks and herds, and spoiled 
their cities, and laid their plains 
waste, and smote all their young men 
with the edge of the sword. 

28 And the fear and the dread of him 
fell upon them that dwelt on the sea 
coast, upon them that were in Sidon 
and Tyre, and them that dwelt in Sur 
and Ocina, and all that dwelt in Jem- 
naan; and they that dwelt in Azotus 
and Ascalon feared him exceedingly. 

8 And they sent unto him messengers 

2 with words of peace, saying, Behold, 
we the servants of Nebuchadnezzar 
the great king lie before thee: use us 

3 as it is pleasing in thy sight. Behold, 
our dwellings, and all our country, 
and all our fields of wheat, and our 
flocks and herds, and all the sheep- 
eotes of our tents, lie before thy face: 

4 use them as it may please thee. Be- 
hold, even our cities and they that 
dwell in them are thy servants : come 
and deal with them as it is good in 

5thine eyes. And the men came to 
Holofernes, and declared unto him 
according to these words. 

6 And he came down toward the sea 
coast, he and his host, and set gar- 
risons in the high cities, and took out 

7 of them chosen men for allies. And 
they received him, they and all the 
eountry round about them, with gar- 

8 lands and dances and timbrels. And 
he cast down all their borders, and cut 
down their groves: and it had been 
given unto him to destroy all the gods 
of the land, that all the nations should 
worship Nebuchadnezzar only, and 
that all their tongues and their tribes 

9 should call upon him as god. And he 
came towards Esdraelon nigh unto 
Dotza, which is over against the 

10 great ridge of Juda. And he en- 
camped between Geba and Scythopo- 
lis, and he was there a whole month, 
that he might gather together all the 
baggage of his host. 

4 And the children of Israel that dwelt 
in_Judza heard all that Holofernes 
the chief captain of Nebuchadnezzar 
king of the Assyrians had done to the 
nations, and after what manner he 
had spoiled all their temples, and 

2 destroyed them utterly. And they 
were exceedingly afraid before him, 
and were troubled for Jerusalem, and 
for the temple of the Lord their God: 

3 because they were newly come up 
from the captivity, and all the people 
of Judza were lately gathered fo- 

' gether; and the vessels, and the altar, 
and the house, were sanctified after 
the profanation. 


47 




















5. 1. JUDITH. 5. 16. 
4 And they sent into every coast of the tops of the high hills, and had laid 
Samaria, and to Kone, and to Beth-| 2impediments in the plains: and he | 
horon, and Belmaim, and Jericho,and was exceeding wroth, and he ealled 
to Choba, and sora, and to the all the princes of Moab, and the eap- 
5 valley of Salem; and they possessed tains of Ammon, and all the governors 
themselves beforehand of all the tops| 3 of the sea coast, and he said unto 
of the high mountains, and fortified them, Tell me now, ye sons of Canaan, 
the villages that were in them, and who is this people, that dwelleth in 
laid up victual for the provision of the hill country, and what are the cit- 
war: for their fields were newly reap- ies that they inhabit, and what is the 
6ed. And Joakim the high priest, multitude of their host, and wherein 
x which was in those days at Jerusalem, is their power and their strength, and 
wrote to them that dwelt in Bethulia, what king is set over them, to be the 
j and Betomesthaim, which is over| 4 leader of their army; and why have 
against Esdraelon toward the plain they turned their backs, that they 
7that is nigh unto Dothaim, charging should not come and meet me, more 
them to seize upon the ascents of the than all that dwell in the west. 
hill country; because by them was| 5 And Achior, the leader of all the 
the entrance into Judza, and it was children of Ammon, said unto him, 
easy to stop them from approaching, Let my lord now hear a word from 
inasmuch as the approach was nar- the mouth of thy servant, and I will 
row, with space for two men at the tell thee the truth concerning this 
8most. And the children of Israel did people, which dwelleth in this hill 
as Joakim the high priest had com- country, nigh unto the place where 
manded them, and the senate of all thou dwellest: and there shall no lie 
the people of Israel, which dwelt at come out of the mouth of thy servant. 
Jerusalem. 6 This people are descended of the Chal- 
9 Andevery man of Israelecried toGod| 7 deans: and they sojourned heretofore 
with great earnestness, and with great in Mesopotamia, because they were 
earnestness did they humble their not minded to follow the gods of their 
10souls. They, and their wives, and fathers, which were in the land of the 
their babes, and their cattle, and| 8Chaldeans. And they departed from 
every sojourner and hireling and ser- the way of their parents, and wor- 
vant bought with their money, put shipped the God of heaven, the God 
llsackeloth upon their loins. And whom they knew: and they cast them |. 
every man and woman of Israel, and out from the face of their gods, and 
the little children, and the inhabitants they fled into Mesopotamia, and so- 
of Jerusalem, fell before the temple,| 9journed there many days. And their 
and cast ashes upon their heads, and God commanded them to depart from 
spread out their sackcloth before the the place where they sojourned, and 
Lord; and they put sackcloth about to go into the land of Canaan: and 
12 the altar: and they cried to the God they dwelt there, and were increased 
of Israel earnestly with one consent, with gold and silver, and with exceed- 
that he would not give their babes | 10 ing muchcattle. And they went down 
for a prey, and their wives for a spoil, into Egypt, for a famine covered all 
and the cities of their inheritance to the land of Canaan; and there they 
destruction, and the sanctuary to pro- sojourned, until they were grown up; 
fanation and reproach, for the nations and they became there a great multi- 
13 to rejoice at. And the Lord heard tude, so that one could not number 
their voice, and looked upon their | 11 their nation. And the king of Egypt 
affliction: and the people continued rose up against them, and dealt sub- 
fasting many days in all Judza and tilly with them, tand brought them | 1 Some 
Jerusalem before the sanctuary of low, making them to labour in briek, | suthori, 
14the Lord Almighty. And Joakim the | 12and made them slaves. And they | and he 
high priest, and all the priests that cried unto their God, and he smote ney 
stood before the Lord, and they that all the land of Egypt with incurable | jj, 
ministered unto the Lord, had their plagues: and the Egyptians cast them oer o 





loins girt about with sackcloth, and 
offered the continual burnt offering, 
and the vows and the free gifts of the 
15 people; and they had ashes on their 
mitres : and they cried unto the Lord 

' with all their power, that he would 
look upon all the house of Israel for 
good. 

5 And it was told Holofernes, the chief 
captain of the host of Asshur, that the 
children of Israel had prepared for 
war, and had shut up the passages of 

—the hill country, and had fortified all 


48 





13 out of their sight. And God dried up 
14 the Red sea before them, and brought 
them into the way of Sinai, and Ka- 
desh-Barrea, and they cast out all 
15 that dwelt in the wilderness,- And 
they dwelt in the land of the Amorives, 
and they destroyed by their strength 
all them of Heshbon, and passing 
over Jordan they possessed all the 
16 hill country.; And they cast out be- 
fore them the Canaanite, the Periz- 
zite, the Jebusite, and the Shechemite, 
and all the Girgashites, and they 











S 


re 





JUDITH. 


6. 21. 








dwelt in that country many days. 

17 And whilst they sinned not before 
their God, they prospered, because 
God that hateth iniquity was with 

18them. But when they departed from 
the way which he appointed them, 
they were destroyed in many battles 
very sore, and were led captives into 
a land that was not theirs, and the 
temple of their God was cast to the 

und, and their cities were taken 

19 by their adversaries. And now they 
are returned to their God, and are 
come up from the dispersion where 
they were dispersed, and have pos- 
sessed Jerusalem, where their sanc- 
tuary is, and are seated in the hill 

20 country: for it was desolate. And 
now, my lord and master, if there is 
any error in this people, and they sin 
against their God, we will consider 
what this thing is wherein they stum- 
ble, and we will go up and overcome 

21them. But if there is no lawlessness 
in their nation, let my lord now pass 
by, lest their Lord defend them, and 
their God be for them, and we shall 
be a reproach before all the earth. 

or And it came to pass, when Achior 
had finished speaking these words, all 
the people that compassed the tent 
and stood round about it murmured; 
and the great men of Holofernes, and 
all that dwelt by the sea side, and in 
Moab, spake that he should kill him. 

23 For, said they, we will not be afraid 
of the children of Israel: for, lo, it is a 
people that hath no power nor might 

24to make the battle strong. Where- 
fore now we will go up, and they shall 
be a prey to be devoured of all thine 
army, lord Holofernes. 

6 And when the tumult of the men that 
were about the council was ceased, 
Holofernes the chief captain of the 
host of Asshur said unto Achior and 
to all the children of ! Moab before all 
the people of the aliens, 

2 And who art thou, Achior, and the 
hirelings of 1 Ephraim, that thou hast 
prophesied among us as to-day, and 
hast said, that-we-should-not-make 

| War with the race of Israel, because 
their God-will défend them? ~And 
3 who is God but Nebuchadnezzar? He 
shall send forth his might, and shall 
destroy them from the face of the 
earth, and their God shall not deliver 
them : but we his servants shall smite 
them as one man; and they shall not 
4 sustain the might of our horses. For 
with.them we shall burn them up, and 
tiieir mountains shall be drunken with 
their blood, and their plains shall be 
filled with their dead bodies, and their 
footsteps shall not stand before us, 
but they shall surely perish, saith 
king Nebuchadnezzar, lord of all the 
earth: for he said, The words that 





?T have spoken shall not be in vain. 


49 





5 But thou, Achior, ppt i 
which hast spoken these words in the 
day of thine iniquity, shalt see my 
face no more from this day, until I 
shall be avenged of the race of those 

6 that came out of Egypt. And then 
shall the sword of mine army, and the 
multitude of them that serve me, pass 
through thy sides, and thou shalt fall 
amon ir’staih, when I shall return. 
7 my servants shall bring thee back 

into the hill country, and shall set thee 
in one of the cities of the ascents: 
8and thou shalt not perish, till thou 
9 be destroyed with them. And if thou 
hopest in thy heart that they shall 
not be taken, let not thy countenance 
fall. I have spoken it, and none of 
my words shall fall to the ground. 

10 And Holofernes commanded his ser- 
vants, that waited in his tent, to take 
Achior, and bring him back to Bethu- 
lia, and deliver him into the hands 

1lof the children of Israel. And his 
servants took him, and brought him 
out of the camp into the plain, and 
they removed from the midst of the 
plain country into the hill country, 
and came unto the fountains that 

12 were under Bethulia. And when the 
men of the city saw them on the top 
of the hill, they took up their weapons, 
and went out of the city against them 
to the top of the hill: and every man 
that used a sling kept them from 
coming up, and cast stones against 

13them. And they gat them privily 
under the hill, and bound Achior, and 
cast him down, and left him at the 
foot of the hill, and went away unto 

14their lord. But the children of Israel 
descended from their city, and came 
upon him, and loosed him, and led 
him away into Bethulia, and present- 
oP ed him to the ereeaak_theit ir city ; 
which were in those days Ozias the 
son of Micah, of the tribe OF Simeon, 
and Chabris the son of Gothoniel, and 

16 Charmis the son of Melchiel. And 
they called together all the elders of 
the city; and all their young men ran 
together, and their women, to the 
assembly ; and they set Achior in the 
midst of all their people. And Ozias 
asked him of that which had ha 

17 pened: and he answered and declared 
unto them the words of the council of 
Holofernes, and all the words that he 
had spoken in the midst of the princes 
of the children of Asshur, and all the 
great words that Holofernes had 
spoken against the house of Israel. 

18 And the people fell down and wor- 

19 shipped God, and cried, saying, O Lord 
God of heaven, behold their arro- 
gance, and pity the low estate of our 
race, and look upon the face of those 
that are sanctified unto thee this 

20 day. And they comforted Achior, and 

21 praised him exceedingly. And Ozias 

E 

















JUDITH. 


7. 26. 





a 





took him out of the assembly into his 
house, and made a feast to the elders ; 
and they called on the God of Israel 
for help all that night. 

'7 But the next day Holofernes gave 
command to all his army, and to all 
his people which were come to be his 
allies, that they should remove their 

camp toward Bethulia, and take afore- 
hand the ascents of the hill country, 
and make war against the children 

2 of Israel. And every mighty man of 
them removed that day, and the host 
of their men of war was a hundred 
and seventy thousand footmen, and 
twelve thousand horsemen, beside the 
baggage, and the men that were afoot 
among them, an exceeding great mul- 
3 titude. And they encamped in the 

valley near unto Bethulia, by the 
fountain, and they spread themselves 
in breadth over Dothaim even to Bel- 
maim, and in length from Bethulia 
unto Cyamon, which is over against 
Esdraelon. 

4 But the children of Israel, when they 
saw the multitude of them, were 
troubled exceedingly, and said every 
one to his neighbour, Now shall these 
men lick up the face of all the earth; 
and neither the high mountains, nor 
the valleys, nor the hills, shall be able 

5 to bear their weight. And every man 
took up his weapons of war, and when 
they had kindled fires upon their 
towers, they remained and watched 
all that night. 

6 But on the second day Holofernes 
led out all his horse in the sight of the 
children of Israel which were in Beth- 

7 ulia, and viewed the ascents to their 
city, and searched out the fountains of 
the waters, and seized upon them, and 
set garrisons of men of war over them, 
and himself departed to his people. 

8 And there came unto him all the 
rulers of the children of Esau, and all 
the leaders of the people of Moab, and 
the captains of the sea coast, and sajd, 

9 Let our lord now hear a word, that 
there be not an overthrow in thy host. 

10 For this people of the children of 

Israel do not trust in their spears, but 
in the height of the mountains wherein 
they dwell, for itis not easy to come 
up to the tops of their mountains. 
11 And now, my lord, fight not against 
them as men fight who join battle, and 
there shall not so muchas one man 

12 of thy people perish. Remain in thy 

camp, and keep safe every man of thy 
host, and let thy servants get posses- 
sion of the fountain of water, which 
issueth forth of the foot of the moun- 
13 tain: because all the inhabitants of 
Bethulia have their water thence ; and 
thirst shall kill them, and they shall 
give up their city: and we and our 
people will go up to the tops of the 
mountains that are near, and will 


we 


50 





encamp upon them, to watch that not 

14 one man go out of the city. And they 
shall be consumed with famine, they 
and their wives and their children, 
and before the sword come against 
them they shall be laid low in the 

15 streets where they dwell. And thou 
shalt render them an evil reward; 
because they rebelled, and met not 
thy face in peace. 

16 And their words were pleasing in the 
sight of Holofernes and in the sight of 
all his servants; and he appointed to 

17 doas they had spoken. And the army 
of the children of Ammon removed, 
and with them five thousand of the 
children of Asshur, and they encamp- 
ed in the valley, and seized upon the 
waters and the fountains of the waters 

18 of the children of Israel. And the 
children of Esau went up with the 
children of Ammon, and encamped in 
the hill country over against Dothaim: 
and they sent some of them toward 
the south, and toward the east, over 
against Ekrebel, which is near unto 
Chusi, that is upon the brook Moch- 
mur; and the rest of the army of the 
Assyrians encamped in the plain, and 
covered all the face of the land; and 
their tents and baggage were pitched 
upon it in a great crowd, and they 
were an exceeding great multitude. 

19 And the children of Israel cried unto 
the Lord their God, for their spirit 
fainted ; for all their enemies had com- 
passed them round about, and there 
was no way to escape out from among 

20them. Andallthe army of Asshur re- 
mained about them, their footmen and 
their chariots and their horsemen, 
four and thirty days; and all their 
vessels of water failed all the inhabi- 

21 tants of Bethulia. And the cisterns 
were emptied, and they had not water 
to drink their fill for one day: for they 

22 gave them drink by measure. And 
their young children were out of heart, 
and the women and the young men 
fainted for thirst, and they fell down 

in the streets of the city, and in the 
passages of the gates, and there was 

23 no longer any strength in them. And 
all the people were gathered together 
against Ozias, and against the rulers 
of the city, the young men and the 
women and the children, and they 
cried with a loud voice, and said be- 
fore all the elders, 

24 God be judge between you and us: 
because ye have done us great wrong, 
in that ye have not spoken words of 
peace with the children of Asshur. 

25 And now we have no helper: but God 
hath sold us into their hands, that we 
should be laid low before them with 

26 thirst and great destruction. And 
now call them unto you, and deliver 
up the whole city for a prey to the 
people of Holofernes, and to all his 














JUDITH. 


8. 23. 








27 host. For it is better for us to be 
made a spoil unto them: for we shall 
be servants, and our souls shall live, 
and we shall not see the death of our 
babes before our eyes, and our wives 
and our children fainting in death. 

28 We take to witness against you the 
heaven and the earth, and our God 
and the Lord of our fathers, which 
punisheth us according to our sins 
and the sins of our fathers, that he do 
not according as we have said this 


y. 
29 And there was great weeping of all 
- with one consent in the midst of the 
assembly; and they cried unto the 
30 Lord God with a loud voice. And 
Ozias said to them, Brethren, be of 


| good courage, let us yet endure five 


days, in the which space the Lord our 
God shall turn his mercy toward us; 


31 for he will not forsake us utterly. But 


if these days pass, and there come no 
help unto us, I will do according to 


& 


‘32your words. And he dispersed the 


people, every man to his own camp; 
and they went away unto the walls 
and towers of their city ; and he sent 
the women and children into their 
houses: and they were brought very 
low in the city. 
8S And in those days Judith heard 
thereof, the daughter of Merari, the 
son of Ox, the son of Joseph, the son 
of Oziel, the son of Elkiah, the son of 
Ananias, the son of Gideon, the son 
of Raphaim, the son of Ahitub, the 
son of Elihu, the son of Eliab, the son 
of Nathanael, the son of Salamiel, the 
son of Salasadai, the son of Israel. 
2 And her husband was Manasses, of 
her tribe and of her faniftyyand he 
died in the days of barley harvest. 
3 For he stood over them that bound 
sheaves in the field, and the heat came 
upon his head, and he fell on his bed, 
and died in his city Bethulia: and 
they buried him with his fathers in the 
field which is between Dothaim and 
4Balamon. And Judith was a widow 
in her house three~years and four 
5months. And she made her a tent 
upon the roof of her house, and put on 
sackcloth upon her loins; and the 
garments of her widowhood were 
6upon her. And she fasted all the 
‘days of her widowhood, save the eves 
of the sabbaths, and the sabbaths, 
and the eves of the new moons, and 
the new moons, and the feasts and 
joyful days of the house of Israel. 
7 And she was of a goodly countenance, 
and exceeding beautiful to behold: 
and her husband Manasses had left 
her gold, and silver, and menservants, 
and maidservants, and cattle, and 
lands; and she remained upon them. 
8 And there was none that gave her an 
pf word; for she feared God exceed- 
gly. 








9 And she heard the evil words of the 
people against the governor, because 
they fainted for“lack of water; and 
Judith heard all the words that Ozias 
spake unto them, how he sware to 
them that he would deliver the city 
unto the Assyrians after five days. 

10 And she sent her maid, that was over 
all things that she had, to call Ozias 


and Chabris and érs | 
11 of her city. And they came unto her, 


and-she said unto them, 

Hear me now, O ye rulers of the in- 
habitants of Bethulia: for your word 
that ye have spoken before the people 
this day is not right, and ye have set 
the oath which ye have pronounced 
between God and you, and have pro- 
mised to deliver the city to our ene- 
mies, unless within these days the 

12 Lord turn to help you. And now who 
are ye that have tempted God this 
day, and stand instead of God among 

13 the children of men? And now try 
the Lord Almighty,and ye shall never 


14 knowanything. For ye shall not find 


the depth of the heart of man, and ye 
shall not perceive the things that he 
thinketh: and how shall ye search 
out God, which hath made all these 
things, and know his mind, and com- 
prehend his purpose? Nay, my bre- 
thren, provoke not the Lord our God 
15 to anger. For if he be not minded to 
help us within these five days, he hath 
power to defend us in such time as he 
will, or to destroy us before the face 
16 of ourenemies. But donot ye pledge 
the counsels of the Lord our God: for 
God is not as man, that he should be’ 
threatened; neither as the son of 
man, that he should be turned by in- 
17 treaty. Wherefore let uS waitfor the 
salvation that cometh from him, and 
eall upon him to help us, and he will 
18 hear our voice, if it please him. For 
there arose none in our age, neither 
is there any of us to-day, tribe, or kin- 
dred, or family, or city, which wor- 
ship gods made with hands, as it was 
19in the former days; for the which 
cause our fathers were given to the 
sword, and for a spoil, and fell with 
20 a great fall before our enemies. But 
we know none other god beside him, 
wherefore we hope that he will not 
21 despise us, nor any of our race. For 
if we be taken so, all Judza shall sit 
upon the ground, and our sanctuary 
shall be spoiled; and of our blood 
shall he require the profanation there- 
22 of. And theslaughter ofour brethren, 
and the captivity of the land, and the 
desolation of our inheritance, shall he 
turn upon our heads among the Gen- 
tiles, wheresoever we shall be in bond- 
age; and we shall be an offence and 
a reproach before them that take us 
23 for a possession. For our bondage 





shall not be ordered to favour: but 


51 











JUDITH. 9. 14. 











the Lord our God shall turn it to dis- thou gavest their rulers to be slain, 
24honour. And now, brethren, let us and their bed, ‘which was ashamed | 1 Some 
shew an example to our brethren, be- for her that was deceived, to be dyed ——, 
cause their soul hangeth upon us, and in blood, and smotest the servants | which 
the sanctuary and the house and the with their lords, and the lords upon | “4s 
25 altar rest upon us. Besides all this| 4their thrones; and gavest their wives | jor their 
let us give thanks to the Lord our for a prey, and their daughters to be | deceit 
God, which trieth us, even as he did captives, and all their spoils to be pease 
26 our fathers also. Remember all the divided among thy dear children; 
things which he did to Abraham, and which were moved with zeal for thee, 
all the things in which he tried Isaac, and abhorred the pollution of their 
and all the things which happened to blood, and called upon thee for aid: 
Jacob in Mesopotamia of Syria, when O God, O my God, hear me also that 
he kept the sheep of Laban his mo-| 5am a widow. For thou wroughtest 
27 ther’s brother. For he hath not tried the things that were before those 
us in the fire,as he did them, to search things, and those things, and such as 
out their hearts, neither hath he taken ensued after; and thou didst devise 
vengeance on us; but the Lord doth the things which are now, and the 
scourge them that come near unto things which are to come: and the 
him, to admonish them, things which thou didst devise came 
28 And Ozias said to her, All that thou] 6to pass; yea, the things which thou 
hast spoken hast thou spoken with a didst determine stood before thee, 
good heart, and there is none that and said, Lo, we are here: for all thy 
29 shall gainsay thy words. For this is ways are prepared, and thy judgement 
not the first day wherein thy wisdom | Tis with foreknowledge. For, behold, 
is manifested ; but from the beginning the Assyrians are multiplied in their 
of thy days all the people have known power; they are exalted with horse 
thine understanding, because the dis- and rider; they have gloried in the 
30 position of thy heart is good. But 2 strength of their footmen; they have | 2 Gr. 
the people were exceeding thirsty, trusted in shield and spear and bow | “”- 
and compelled us to do as we spake and sling; and they know not that 
to them, and to bring an oath upon thou art the Lord that breaketh the 
ourselves, which we will not break.| 8 battles: the Lord is thyname. Dash 


31 And now pray thou for us, because thou down their strength in thy power, 
thou arta godly woman, and the Lord and bring down their force in thy 
shall send us rain to fill our cisterns, wrath: for they have purposed to 


82 and we shall faint no more, And profane thy sanctuary, and to defile 
Judith said unto them, Hear me, and the tabernacle where thy glorious 
I will do a thing, which shall go down name resteth, and to cast down with 
to all generations among the children the sword the horn of thine altar. 
83 of our race. Ye shall stand at the| 9 Look upon their pride, and send thy 
gate this night, and I will go forth wrath upon their heads: give into my 
with my maid: and, within the days hand, which am a widow, the might 
after which ye said that ye would de- | 10 that I have conceived. Smite by the 
liver the city to. our enemies, the Lord deceit of my lips the servant with the 
34 shall visit Israel by my-hand. But ye prince, and the prince with his ser- 
shall not inquire of mine act: for I vant: break down their stateliness 
will not declare it unto you, till the | 11by the hand of a woman. For thy 
35 things be finished that I do. And power standeth not in multitude, nor 
Ozias and the rulers said unto her, thy might in strong men: but thou 
Go in peace, and the Lord God be be- art a God of the afflicted, thou arta 
fore thee, to take vengeance on our helper of the * oppressed, an upholder | s Gr. 
86 enemies. And they returned from the of the weak, a protector of the forlorn, | /e”er- 


tent, and went to their stations. | a saviour of them that are without 

Q But Judith fell upon her face, and|12hope. Yea, yea, God of my father, 
put ashes upon her head, and uncoy- and God of the inheritance of Israel, 
ered the sackcloth wherewith she was Lord of the heavens and of the earth, 
clothed; and the incense of that even- Creator of the waters, King * of every | 4 Gr. of 
ing was now being offered at Jerusa- | 13 creature, hear thou my prayer: and pat : 


lem in the house of God, and Judith make my speech and deceit to be 
cried unto the Lord with a loud voice, their wound and stripe, who have 
and said, purposed hard things against thy 
2 O Lord God of my father Simeon, in- covenant, and thy hallowed house, 
to whose hand thou gavest a sword and the top of Sion, and the house of 
to take vengeance of the strangers, | 14 the possession of thy children. And 
who loosened the girdle of a virgin to make every nation and tribe of thine 
defile her, and uncovered the thigh to to know that thou art God, the God 
her shame, and profaned the womb to of all power and might, and that there 
her reproach; for thou saidst, It shall is none other that protecteth the race 
3 not be so; and they did so: wherefore of Israel but thou. 


52 




















10. 13. 


JUDITH. 


11. 5. 





1 Gr. 


10 And it came to pass, when she had 
ceased to ery unto the God of Israel, 
and had made an end of all these 

2 words, that she rose up where she 
had fallen down, and called her maid, 
and went down into the house, in the 
which she was wont to abide on the 
sabbath days and on her feast days, 

3 and pulled off the sackcloth which she 
had put on, and put off the garments 
of her widowhood, and washed her 
body all over with water, and anointed 
herself with rich ointment, and braid- 
ed the hair of her head, and put atire 
upon it, and put on her garments of 
gladness, wherewith she was wont to 
be clad in the days of the life of Ma- 

4nasses her husband. And she took 
sandals for her feet, and put her chains 
about her, and her bracelets, and her 
rings, and her earrings, and all her 
ornaments, and decked herself brave- 
ly, to beguile the eyes of all men that 

5 should see her. And she gave her 

. maid a leathern bottie of wine, and 
a cruse of oil, and filled a bag with 
parched corn and lumps of figs and 
1fine bread; and she packed all her 
os together, and laid them upon 


er. 
6 And they went forth to the gate of 
the city of Bethulia, and found stand- 
ing thereby Ozias, and the elders of 
7 the city, Chabris and Charmis. But 
when they saw her, that her counte- 
nance was altered, and her apparel 
was changed, they wondered at her 
beauty very exceedingly,and said unto 
8 her, The God of our fathers give thee 
favour, and accomplish thy purposes 
to the glory of the children of Israel, 
and to the exaltation of Jerusalem. 
9 And she worshipped God, and said 
unto them, Command that they open 
unto me the gate of the city, and I will 
go forth to accomplish the things 
whereof ye spake withme. And they 
commanded the young men to open 
10 unto her, as she had spoken: and 
they did so. 

And Judith went out, she, and her 
handmaid with her; and the men of 
the city looked after her, until she was 
gone down the mountain, until she 
had passed the valley, and they could 

1lsee her no more. And they went 
straight onward in the valley : and the 
12 watch of the Assyrians met her; and 
they took her, and asked her, Of what 
people art thou? and whence comest 
thou? and whither goest thou? And 
she said, I am a daughter of the He- 
brews, and I flee away from their 
presence; because they are about to 
13 be given you to be consumed: and I 
am coming into the presence of Holo- 
fernes the chief captain of your host, 
f—~ to declare words of truth; and I will 
shew before him a way, whereby he 





shall go, and win all ithe hill country, 





and there shall not be lacking of his 
14men one person, nor one life. Now 
when the men heard her words, and 
considered her countenance, the beau- 
ty thereof was exceeding marvellous 
in their eyes, and they said unto her, 

15 Thou hast saved thy life,in that thou 
hast hasted to come down to the pre- 
sence of our lord: and now come to 
his tent, and some of us shall conduct 
thee, until they shall deliver thee into 

16 his hands. But ? when thou standest 
before him, be not afraid in thine 
heart, but declare unto him according 
to thy words; and he shall entreat 

17 thee well. And they chose out of 
them a hundred men, and appointed 
them to accompany her and her maid ; 
and they brought them to the tent of 
Holofernes. 

18 And there was a concourse through- 
out all the camp, for her coming was 
noised among the tents; and they 

e and compassed her about, as she 
stood without the tent of Holofernes, 

19 until they told him of her. And they 
marvelled at her beauty, and mar- 
velled at the children of Israel be- 
eause of her,and each one said to his 
neighbour, Who shall despise this 
people, that have among them such 
women? for it is not good that one 
man of them be left, seeing that, if 
they are let go, they shall be able to 

20 deceive the whole earth. And they 
that lay near Holofernes, and all his 
servants, went forth and brought her 

21into the tent. And Holofernes was 
resting upon his bed under the cano- 
py, which was woven with purple 
and gold and emeralds and precious 

22 stones. And they told him of her; 
and he came forth into the space be- 
fore his tent, with silver lamps going 

23 before him. But when Judith was 
come before him and his servants, 
they all marvelled at the beauty of 
her countenance; and she fell down 
upon her face, and did reverence unto 
him: and his servants raised her up. 

11 And Holofernes said unto her, Wo- 
man, be of good comfort, fear not in 
thy heart: for I never hurt any that 
hath chosen to serve Nebuchadnezzar, 

2 the king of all the earth. And now, 
if thy people that dwelleth in the hill 
country had not set light by me, I 
would not have lifted up my spear 
against them: but they have done 

3 these things to themselves. And now 
tell me wherefore thou didst flee from 
them, and camest unto us: for thou 
art come to save thyself; be of good 
comfort, thou shalt live this night, and 

4 hereafter: for there is none that shall 
wrong thee, but all shall entreat thee 
well, as is done unto the servants of 

5 king Nebuchadnezzar my lord. And 
Judith said unto him, 

Receive the words of thy servant, and 


53 


2Gr.if. 














HA. ‘17. 


JUDITH. 


12. 8. 











let thy handmaid speak in thy pre- 
sence, and I will declare no lie unto 

6 my lord this night. And if thou shalt 
follow the words of thy handmaid, 
God shall bring the thing to pass per- 
fectly with thee; and my lord shall 

7 not fail of his purposes. As Nebu- 
chadnezzar king of all the earth 
liveth, and as his power liveth, who 
hath sent thee for the preservation of 
every living thing, not only do men 
serve him by thee, but also the beasts 

of the field and the cattle and the 
birds of the heaven shall live through 
thy strength, in the time of Nebuchad- 

8 nezzar and of all his house. For we 
have heard of thy wisdom and the 
subtil devices of thy soul, and it hath 
been reported in all the earth, that 
thou only art brave in all the kingdom, 
and mighty in knowledge, and won- 

9 derful in feats of war. And now as 
concerning the matter, which Achior 
did speak in thy council, we have 
heard his words: for the men of Beth- 
ulia saved him, and he declared un- 
to them all that he had spoken before 
10 thee. Wherefore, O lord and master, 
neglect not his word; but lay it up in 
thy heart, for it is true: for our race 
shall not be punished, neither shall 
the sword prevail against them, ex- 
11 cept they sin against their God. And 
now, e not defeated and 
frustrate of his purpose, and that 
death may fall upon them, their sin 
hath overtaken them, wherewith they 
shall provoke their God to anger, 
whensoever they shall do wickedness. 
12 Since their victuals failed them, and 
all their water was scant, they took 
counsel to lay hands upon their cattle, 
and determined to consume all those 
things, which God charged them by 
his*laws. that they should not eat: 
13 and they are resolved to spend the 
firstfruits of the corn,and the tenths of 
the wine and the oil, which they had 
sanctified, and reserved for the priests 
that stand before the face of our God 

in Jerusalem; the which things it is 
not fitting for any of the people so 
much as to touch with their hands. 
14 And they have sent some to Jerusa- 
lem, because they also that dwell 
there have done this thing, to bring 
15 them a licence from the senate. And 
it shall be, when one shall bring them 
word, and they shall do it, they shall 
be given thee to be destroyed the 
16 same day. Wherefore I thy servant, 
knowing all this, fled away from their 
presence; and God sent me to work 
things with thee, whereat all the earth 
shall be astonished, even as many as 
17 shall hear it. For thy servant is re- 
ligious, and serveth the God of heaven 
day and night: and now, my lord, I 
will abide with thee, and thy servant 
will go forth by night into the valley, 





and I will pray unto God,-and he 
shall tell me when they have com- 

18 mitted their sins: and I will come 
and shew it also unto thee; and thou 
shalt go forth with all thy host, and 
there shall be none of them that shall 

19resist thee. And I will lead thee 
through the midst of Judza, until 
thou comest over against Jerusalem; 
and I will set thy seat in the midst 
thereof; and thou shalt drive them as 
sheep that have no shepherd, and a 
dog shall not so much as open his 
mouth before thee: for these things 
were told me according to my fore- 
knowledge, and were declared unto 
me, and I was sent to tell thee. 

20 And her words were pleasing in the 
sight of Holofernes and of all his ser- 
vants; and they marvelled at her wis- 

21dom, and said, There is not such a 
woman from one end of the earth to 
the other, for beauty of face, and wis- 

22 dom of words. And Holofernes said 
unto her, God did well to send thee 
before the people, that might should 
be in our hands, and destruction 
among them that lightly regarded my 

23 lord. And now thou art beautiful in 
thy countenance, and witty in thy 
words: for if thou shalt do as thou 
hast spoken, thy God shall be my 
God, and thou shalt dwell in the 
house of king Nebuchadnezzar, and 
shalt be renowned through the whole 
earth. Y 

12 And he commanded to bring her in 
where his silver vessels were set, and 
bade that they should prepare for her 
of his own meats, and that she should 

2 drink of his own wine. And Judith 
said, I will not eat thereof, lest there 
be an oceasion of stumbling: but pro- 
vision shall be made for me of the 

3 things that are come with me. And 
Holofernes said unto her, But if the 
things that be with thee should fail, 
whence shall we be able to give thee 
the like? for there is none of thy race 

4with us. And Judith said unto him, 
As thy soul liveth, my lord, thy ser- 
vant shall not spend those things that 
be with me, until the Lord work by 
my hand the things that he hath de- 

5 termined. And the servants of Holo- 
fernes brought her into the tent, and 
she slept till midnight, and she rose 

6up toward the morning watch, and 
sent to Holofernes, saying, Let my 
lord now command that they suffer 
thy servant to go forth unto prayer. 

7 And Holofernes commanded his 
guards that they should not stay her: 
and she abode in the camp three days, 
and went out every night into the val- 
ley of Bethulia, and washed herself 
at the fountain of water in the camp. 

8 And when she came up, she besought 
the Lord God of Israel to direct her 
way to the raising up of the children 


54 

















13. 3. 





JUDITH. 





9 of his people. And she came in clean, 
and remained in the tent, until she 
took her meat toward evening. 

10 And it came to pass on the fourth 
day, Holofernes made a feast to his 
own servants only, and called none of 

1ithe officers to the banquet. And he 
said to Bagoas the eunuch, who had 
charge oYéF'all that he had, Go now, 
and persuade this Hebrew woman 
which is with thee, that she come 
unto us, and eat and drink with us. 

12 For, lo, it is a shame for our person, if 
we shali letsucha woman go, not hay- 
ing had her company; for if we draw 
her not unto us, she shall laugh us to 

13scorn. And Bagoas went from the 
presence of Holofernes, and came in 
to her, and said, Let not this fair dam- 
sel fear to come to my lord, and to be 
honoured in his presence, and to drink 
wine and be merry with us, and to be 
made this day as one of the daughters 
of the children of Asshur, which wait 

14 in the house of Nebuchadnezzar. And 
Judith said unto him, And who am I, 
that I should gainsay my lord? for 
whatsoever shall be pleasing in his 
eyes I will do speedily, and this shall 
be my joy unto the day of my death. 

15 And she arose, and decked herself 
with her apparel and all her woman’s 
attire ; and her servant went and laid 
fleeces on the ground for her over 
against Holofernes, which she had 
received of Bagoas for her daily use, 
that she might sit and eat upon them. 

16 And Judith came in and sat down, and 
Holofernes’ heart was ravished with 
her, and his soul was moved, and he 
desired exceedingly her company : and 
he was watching for a time to deceive 
her, from the day that he had seen her. 

17 And Holofernes said unto her, Drink 

18 now, and be merry with us. And Ju- 
dith said, I. will drink now, my lord, 
because my life is magnified in me this 
day more than all the days since I was 

19 born. And she took and ate and drank 
before him what her servant had pre- 

20 pared. And Holofernes took great 
delight in her,and drank exceeding 
much wine, more than he had drunk 
at any time in one day since he was 


born. - 

18 But when the evening was come, his 
servants made haste to depart, and 
Bagoas shut the tent without, and dis- 
missed them that waited from the pre- 
sence of his lord; and they went away 
to their beds : for they were all weary, 

2 because the feast had been long. But 
Judith was left alone in the tent, and 
Holofernes lying along upon his bed: 

3 for he was overflown with wine. And 
Judith had said to her servant that she 
should stand without her bedechamber, 
and wait for her coming forth, as she 
did daily: for she said she would go 
forth to her prayer; and she spake to 





Bagoas according to the same words. 
4 And all went away from her presence, 
and none was left in the bedchamber, 
neither small nor great. And Judith, 
standing by his bed, said in her heart, 
O Lord God of all power, look in this 
hour upon the works of my hands for 
5 the exaltation of Jerusalem. For now 
is the time to help thine inheritance, 
and to do the thing that I have pur- 
posed to the destruction of the ene- 
mies which are risen up against us. 
6 And she came to the rail of the bed, 
which was at Holofernes’ head, and 
took down his scimitar from thence; 
7 and she drew near unto the bed, and 
took hold of the hair of his head, and 
said, Strengthen me, O Lord God of 
8 Israel, this day. And she smote twice 
upon his neck with all her might, and 
9took away his head from him, and 
tumbled his body down from the bed, 
and took down the canopy from the 
pillars; and after a little while she 
went forth, and gave Holofernes’ head 
10 to her maid; and she put it in her bag 
of victuals : and they twain went forth 
together unto prayer, according to 
their custom: and they passed through 
the camp, and compassed that valley, 
and went up to the mountain of Beth- 
ulia, and came to the gates thereof. 
11 And Judith said afar off to the watch- 
men at the gates, Open, open now the 
gate : God is with us,even our God, to 
shew his power yet in Israel, and his 
might against the enemy, as he hath 
12 done even this day. And it came to 
pass, when the men of her city heard 
her voice, they made haste to go down 
to the gate of their city, and they 
called together the elders of the city. 
13 And they ran all together, both small 
and great, for it was strange unto 
them that she was come: and they 
opened the gate, and received them, 
making a fire to give light, and com- 
14 passed them round about. And she 
said to them with a loud voice, Praise 
God, praise him : praise God, who hath 
not taken away his mercy from the 
house of Israel, but hath destroyed our 
15 enemies by my hand this night. And 
she took forth the head out of the bag, 
and shewed it,and said unto them, 
Behold, the head of Holofernes, the 
chief captain of the host of Asshur, 
and behold, the canopy, wherein he did 
lie in his drunkenness; and the Lord 
smote him by the hand of a woman. 
16 And as the Lord liveth, who preserved 
me in my way that I went,my counte- 
nance deceived him to his destruction, 
and he did not commit sin with me, 
17 to defile and shame me. And all the 
people were exceedingly amazed, and 
bowed themselves, and worshipped 
God, and said with one accord, Blessed 
art thou, O our God, which hast this 
day brought to nought the enemies of 


55 





13. 17. 











14. 10. 


JUDITH. 








1 Many 
authori- 
ties read 
he had 


recov- 
ered 
himself. 





18thy people. And Ozias,said unto her, 
Blessed art thouydSuehter, in the 
sight of the Most High God, above all 
the women upon the earth ; and bless- 
ed is the Lord God, who created the 
heavens and the earth, who directed 
thee to the smiting of the head of the 

19 prince of our enemies. For thy hope 
shall not depart from the heart of 
men that remember the strength of 

20 God for ever. And God turn these 
things to thee for a perpetual praise, 
to visit thee with good things, because 
thou didst not spare thy life by reason 
of the affliction of our race, but didst 
avenge our fall, walking a straight 
way before our God. And all the 
people said, So be it, so be it. 

14 And Judith said unto them, Hear 
me now, my brethren, and take this 
head, and hang it upon the battlement 

2 of your wall. And it shall be, so soon 
as the morning shall appear, and the 
sun shall come forth upon the earth, 
ye shall take up every one his weapons 
of war, and go forth every valiant man 
of you out of the city, and ye shall 
set a captain over them, as though ye 
would go down to the plain toward the 
watch of the children of Asshur; and 

3 ye Shall not godown. And these shall 
take up their panoplies, and shall go 
into their camp, and rouse up the 
captains of the host of Asshur, and 
they shall run together to the tent of 
Holofernes, and they shall not find 
him: and fear shall fall upon them, and 

4 they shall flee before your face. And 
ye, and all that inhabit every coast 
of Israel, shall pursue them, and over- 

5 throw themas they go. But before ye 
do these things, call me Achior the 
Ammonite, that he may see and know 
him that despised the house of Israel, 
and that sent him to us, as it were to 
death. 

6 And they called Achior out of the 
house of Ozias ; but whémhe came, and 
saw the head of Holofernes in a man’s 
hand in the assembly of the people, 
he fell upon his face, and his spirit 

7 failed. But when! they had recovered 
him, he fell at Judith’s feet, and did 
reverence unto her, and said, Blessed 
art thou in every tent of Judah, and in 
every nation, which hearing thy name 

8 shall be troubled. And now tell me 
all the things that thou hast done in 
these days. And Judith declared unto 
him in the midst of the people all the 
things that she had done, from the 
day that she went forth until the time 

9 that she spake unto them. But when 
she left off speaking, the people shout- 
ed with a loud voice, and made a joy- 

10 ful noise in their city. But when 
Achior saw all the things that the 
God of Israel had done, he believed in 
God exceedingly, and circumcised the 
flesh of his foreskin, and was joined 





unto the house of Israel, unto this 


ay. 

11 But as soon as the morning arose, 
they hanged the head of Holofernes 
upon the wall, and every man took up 
his weapons, and they went forth by 
bands unto the ascents of the moun- 

12tain. But when the children of As- 
shur saw them, they sent hither and 
thither to their leaders; but they 
went to their captains and tribunes, 

13 and to every one of theirrulers. And 
they came to Holofernes’ tent, and 
said to him that was over all that he 
had, Waken now our lord: for the 
slaves have been bold to come down 
against us to battle, that they may 

14be utterly destroyed. And Bagoas 
went in, and knocked at the outer 
door of the tent; for he supposed 
that he was sleeping with Judith. 


15 But when none hearkened to him, he 


opened it, and went into the bed- 
chamber, and found him cast upon the 
threshold dead, and his head had been 
16 taken from him. And he cried with a 
loud voice, with weeping and groaning 
and a mighty cry, and rent his gar- 
17 ments. And he entered into the tent 
where Judith lodged: and he found 
her not, and he leaped out to the peo- 
18 ple, and cried aloud, The slaves have 
dealt treacherously: one woman of 
the Hebrews hath brought shame 
upon the house of king Nebuchad- 
nezzar ; for, behold, Holofernes lieth 
upon the ground, and his head _ is not 
19 onhim. But when the rulers of the 
host of Asshur heard the words, they 
rent their coats, and their soul was 
troubled exceedingly, and there was 
a cry and an exceeding great noise in 
the midst of the camp. 
15 And when they that were in the 
tents heard, they were amazed at the 
2thing that was come to pass. And 
trembling and fear fell upon them, and 
no man durst abide any more in the 
sight of his neighbour, but rushing out 
with one accord, they fled into every 
way of the plainand of the hill country. 
8 And they that had encamped in the 
hill country round about Bethulia fled 
away. And then the children of Israel, 
every one that was a warrior among 
4 them, rushed out upon them. And Ozi- 
as sent to Betomasthaim, and Bebai, 
and Chobai, and Chola, and to every 
coast of Israel, such as should tell 
concerning the things that had been 
accomplished, and that all should rush 
forth upon their enemies to destroy 
5 them. But when the children of Israel 
heard, they all fell upon them with 
one accord, and smote them unto Cho- 
bai: yea, and in like manner also they 
of Jerusalem and of all the hill coun- 
try came (for men had told them what 
things were come to pass in the camp 
of their enemies), and they that were 


56 














16. 4. 


JUDITH. 





mel 
——— 








in Gilead and in Galilee fell upon their 
flank with a great slaughter, until 
they were past Damascus and the 
6borders thereof. But the residue, 
that dwelt at Bethulia, fell upon the 
eamp of Asshur, and spoiled them, 

7 and were enriched exceedingly. But 
the children of Israel returned from 
the slaughter, and gat possession of 
that which remained; and the vil- 
lages and the cities, that were in the 
hill country and in the plain country, 
took many spoils: for there was an 
exceeding great store. 

8 And Joakim the high priest, and the 
senate of the children of Israel that 
dwelt in Jerusalem, came to behold 
the good things which the Lord had 
shewed to Israel, and to see Judith, 

9and to salute her. But when they 
came unto her, they all blessed her 
with one accord, and said unto her, 
Thou art the exaltation of Jerusalem, 
thou art the great glory of Israel, 
thou art the great rejoicing of our 

10 race: thou hast done all these things 
by thy hand: thou hast done with 
Israel the things that are good, and 
God is pleased therewith: blessed be 
thou with the Almighty Lord for 
evermore. And all the people said, 
11So0 be it. And the people spoiled the 
camp for the space of thirty days: and 
they gave unto Judith Holofernes’ 
tent, and all his silver cups, and his 
beds, and his vessels, and all his furni- 
ture: and she took them, and placed 
them on her mule, and made ready 


/ | her wegons,and heaped them thereon. 


Z And all the women of Israel ran to- 
gether to see her; and they blessed 
her, and made a dance among them 
for her ; and she took 1? branches in 
her hand, and gave to the women 

13 that were with her. And they made 
themselves garlands of olive, she and 
they that were with her, and she went 
before all the people in the dance, 
leading all the women: and all the 
men of Israel followed in their ar- 
mour with garlands, and with songs 

1Gin their mouths. And Judith began 
to sing this thanksgiving in all Israel, 
and all the people sang with loud 

2 voices this song of praise. And Ju- 
dith said, 

. Begin unto my God with timbrels, 
Sing unto my Lord with cymbals: 
Tune unto him psalm and praise: 

' Exalt him, and call upon his name. 

3 For the Lord is the God that break- 

eth the battles : 

For in his armies in the midst of 
the people 

He delivered me out of the hand of 
them that persecuted me. 

4 Asshur came out of the mountains 

from the north, 
eh ev ger with ten thousands of his 
ost, 





10 


11 


12 


13 


14 


15 


57 


The multitude whereof stopped the 
torrents, 

And their horsemen covered the 
hills. 

He said that he would burn up my 
borders, 

And kill my young men with the 
sword, 

And throw my sucking children to 
the ground, 

And give mine infants for a prey, 

And make my virgins a spoil. 

The Almighty Lord brought them 
to nought by the hand of a woman. 

For their mighty one did not fall 
by young men, 

Neither did sons of the Titans smite 
him, 

Nor did high giants set upon him: 

But Judith the daughter of Merari 
made him weak with the beauty 
of her countenance. 

For she put off the apparel of her 
widowhood 

For the exaltation of those that 
were distressed in Israel, 

She anointed her face with oint- 
ment, 

And bound her hair in a tire, * 

And took a linen garment to deceive 
him. 

Her sandal ravished his eye, 

And her beauty took his soul pri- 
soner : 

The scimitar passed through his 
neck. 

The Persians quaked at her daring, 

And the Medes were daunted at 
her boldness. 

Then my lowly ones shouted aloud, 

And my weak ones were terrified 
and crouched for fear : 

They lifted up their voice, and they 
were turned to flight. 

The sons of damsels pierced them 
through, 

And wounded them as runagates’ 
children; 

They perished by the battle of my 
Lord. 

I will sing unto my God a new song: 

O Lord, thou art great and glori- 
ous, 

Marvellous in strength, invincible. 

Let all thy creation serve thee: 

For thou spakest, and they were 
made, 

Thou didst send forth thy spirit, and 
it builded them, 

And there is none that shall resist 
thy voice. 

For the mountains shall be moved 
from their foundations with the 
waters, 

And the rocks shall melt as wax at 
thy presence : 

But thou art yet merciful to them 
that fear thee. 

For all sacrifice is little for a sweet 
savour, 

E* 








16. 16. 

















10. 13. ESTHER. 11.5% 
And all the fat is very little for a | 21 remained with them. But after these 
whole burnt offering to thee: days every one departed to his own 
But he that feareth the Lord is inheritance,and Judith went away to 
great continually. Bethulia, and remained in her own 
17 . Woe to the nations that rise up possession, and was honourable in 


1 See ch. 
xi. 5-11. 


against my race: 

The Lord Almighty will take venge- 
ance of them in the day of judge- 
ment, 

To put fire and worms in their flesh ; 

And they shall weep and feel their 
pain for ever. 

18 Now when they came to Jerusalem, 
they worshipped God; and when the 
people were purified, they offered 
their whole burnt offerings, and their 
freewill offerings, and their gifts. 

19 And Judith dedicated all the stuff 
of Holofernes, which the people had 


|-given her, and gave the canopy, which 


she had taken for herself out of his 
bedchamber, for a gift unto the Lord. 
20 And the people continued feasting in 
Jerusalem before the sanctuary for 
the space of three months, and Judith 





22 her time in all the land. And many |- 


desired her, and no man knew her all 
the days of her life, from the day that 
Manasses her husband died and was 
23 gathered to his people. And she in- 
creased in greatness exceedingly ; and 
she waxed old in her husband’s house, 
unto a hundred and five years, and let 
her maid go free: and she died in Beth- 
ulia; and they buried her in the caye 
24 of her husband Manasses. And the 
house of Israel mourned for her seven 
days: and she distributed her goods 
before she died to all them that were 
nearest of kin to Manasses her hus- 
band, and to them that were nearest 
25 of her own kindred. And there was 
none that made the children of Israel 
any more afraid in the days of Ju- 
dith, nor a long time after her death. 





THE REST OF THE CHAPTERS 


OF THE 


BOOK OF 


ESTHER, 


WHICH ARE FOUND NEITHER IN THE HEBREW, NOR IN THE CHALDEE. 





PART OF THE TENTH CHAPTER 
AFTER THE GREEK. 

10 Then Mardocheus said, These things 
5are of God. For I remember the 
dream ! which I saw concerning these 
matters, and nothing thereof hath 
6 failed. As for the little fountain that 
became a river, and there was light, 
and the sun, and much water, the 
river is Esther, whom the king mar- 
7 ried, and made queen: and the two 
8 dragons are I and Aman: and the 
nations are those that were assembled 
9 to destroy the name of the Jews: and 
my nation, this is Israel, which cried 
to God,and were saved: for the Lord 
hath saved his people, and the Lord 
hath delivered us from all these evils, 
and God hath wrought signs and great 
wonders, which have not been done 
10 among the nations. Therefore hath 
he made two lots, one for the people 
of God, and another for all the nations. 
11 And these two lots came at the hour, 
and time, and day of judgement, be- 
12 fore God among all the nations. So 
God remembered his people, and jus- 
13 tified his inheritance. Therefore these 
days shall be unto them in the month 





Adar, the fourteenth and fifteenth day 





of the month, with an assembly, and 
joy, and with gladness before God, 
throughout the generations for ever 
among his people Israel. 

11 In the fourth year of the reign of 
Ptolemy and Cleopatra, Dositheus, 
who said he was a priest and Levite, 
and Ptolemy his son, brought the epis- 
tle of Phrurai here set forth, which 
they said was the same, and that 
Lysimachus the son of Ptolemy, that 
was in Jerusalem, had interpreted it. 

2 2In the second year of the reign of 
Artaxerxes the great, in the first day 
of the month Nisan, Mardocheus the 
son of Jairus, the son of Semeias, 
the son of Kiseus, of the tribe of 

3 Benjamin, had a dream; who was a 
Jew, and dwelt in the city of Susa, 
a great man, being a servitor in the 

4 king’s court; and he was of the cap- 
tivity, which Nabuchodonosor the 
king of Babylon carried from Jerusa- 
lem with Jechonias king of Judzea; and 

5this was his dream: Behold, * noise 
and tumult, thunderings and earth- 
quake, and uproar upon the earth: 

6 and, behold, two great dragons came 
forth, both of them ready to fight, 

7 and their ery was great. And at their 


58 


3 An- 
other 
r 


is, @ 2 
noise of @ 
tumult. 

















ESTHER. 














ery all nations were ready to battle, 
that they might fight against the 

_ S8righteous nation. And, lo, a day of 

| darkness and gloominess,-tribulation 
and anguish, affliction and great up- 

9roar upon the earth. And the whole 
righteous nation was troubled, fearing 
ithe evils that should befall them, 

10 and were\ready to perish. Then they 

_eried unto\God, and upon their cry, 
as if were from a little fountain, there 
came a great river, even much water. 

11 The light and the sun rose up, and 
the lowly were exalted, and devoured 

-i2 the glorious. Now when Mardocheus, 
who had seen this dream, and what 
God had determined to do, was awake, 

he bare it in mind, and until night by 
all means was desirous to know it. 

12 And Mardocheus took his rest in the 
eourt with Gabatha and Tharra, the 
two eunuchs of the king, that were 

2keepers of the court. And he heard 
their communings, and searched out 
their purposes, and learned that they 
were about to lay hands upon Artax- 
erxes the king; and he certified the 

3 king of them. Then the king exam- 
ined the two eunuchs, and after that 
they had confessed it, they were led 

4to. execution. And the king wrote 
these things for a memorial; Mardo- 
cheus also wrote concerning these 

5 things. So the king commanded Mar- 
docheus to serve in the court, and 

6for this he gave him gifts. Howbeit 
Aman the son of Amadathus, a Bu- 
gean, who was in great honour with 
the king, sought te molest Mardo- 
cheus and his people because of the 
two eunuchs of the king. 

18 2 Now this is the copy of the letter: 
The great king Artaxerxes writeth 
these things to the princes of a hun- 
dred and seven and twenty provinces 
from India unto Ethiopia, and to the 
governors that are set under them. 

2 After that I became lord over many 
nations, and had dominion over the 
whole world, not lifted up with pre- 
sumption of my authority, but carry- 
ing myself alway with equity and 
mildness, I purposed to settle my sub- 
jects continually in a quiet life, and 
making my kingdom peaceable, and 
open for passage to the utmost coasts, 
to renew peace, which is desired of 

3allmen. Now when I asked my coun- 
sellors how this might be brought to 
pass, Aman, that excelled in ‘wisdom 
among us, and was approved for his 
constant good will and stedfast fidel- 
ity, and had the honour of the second 
4place in the kingdom, declared unto 
us, that in all nations throughout the 
world there was scattered a certain 
malignant people, that had laws con- 
trary to all nations, and continually 
set aside the commandments of kings, 
so as the uniting of our kingdoms, 








honourably intended by us, cannot 
5go forward. Seeing then we under- 
stand that this nation is alone con- 
tinually in opposition unto all men, 
following perversely a life which is 
strange to our laws, and evil affected 
to our state, working all the mischief 
they can, that our kingdom may ‘not 
6 be firmly stablished: therefore have 
we commanded, that they that are 
signified in writing unto you by Aman, 
who is ordained over the affairs, and 
is a second father unto us, shall all, 
with their wives and children, be ut- 
terly destroyed by the sword of their 
enemies, without all merey and pity, 
the fourteenth day of the. twelfth 
month Adar of this present year: 
7 that they, who of old and now also 
are malicious, may in one day with 
violence go down to *the grave, and 
so ever hereafter cause our affairs to 
be well settled, and without trouble. 
8 *Then Mardocheus made his prayer 
unto the Lord, calling to remembrance 
9 all the works of the Lord, and said, 
O Lord, Lord, thou King Almighty: 
for the whole world is in thy power, 
and if it be thy will to save Israel, 
there is no man that can gainsay thee: 
10 for thou hast made heaven and earth, 
and all the wondrous things that are 
11 beneath the heaven: and thou art 
Lord of all, and there is no man that 
ean resist thee, which art the Lord. 
12 Thou knowest all things, and thou 
knowest, Lord, that it was neither in 
contempt nor pride, nor for any desire 
of glory, that I did not bow down to 
13 proud Aman. For I could have been 
eontent with good will for the salva- 
tion of Israel to kiss the soles of his 
14feet. But I did this, that I might not 
prefer the glory of man above the 
glory of God: neither will I bow down 
unto any but to thee, which art my 
Lord, neither will I do it in pride. 
15 And now, O Lord, thou God and King, 
the God of Abraham, spare thy peo- 
ple: for their eyes are upon us to 
bring us* to nought, and they desire 
to destroy the heritage, that hath 
16 been thine from the beginning. De- 
spise not thy portion, which thou didst 
redeem out of the land of Egypt for 
17 thine own self. Hear my prayer, and 
be mereiful unto thine inheritance: 
’ and turn our mourning into feasting, 
that we may live, O Lord, and sing 
praises to thy name: and destroy not 
the mouth of them that praise thee, 


O Lord. 
18 And all Israel cried out mightily, 
because their death was before their 
14 eyes. Queen Esther also, being seiz- 
ed as it were with the agony of death, 
2resorted unto the Lord: and laid 
away her glorious apparel, and put on 
the garments of anguish and mourn- 
ing: and instead of the most excellent 


59 














14. 19. 


ESTHER. 


16°65. 








1 Gr. 
vain 
things. 





ointments, she covered her head with 
-ashes and dung,and she humbled her 
body greatly, and all the places of the 
ornaments of her joy she covered with 

3 her tangled hair. And she prayed unto 
the Lord, the God of Israel, saying, O 
my Lord, thou only art our King: help 
me that am desolate and have no other 

4 helper but thee: for my danger is in 
5 mine hand. Frommy youth up I have 
heard in the tribe of my family, that 
thou, O Lord, tookest Israel from 
among all the nations, and our fathers 
from all their progenitors, for a per- 
petual inheritance, and didst perform 
for them whatsoever thou didst pro- 
6mise. And now we have sinned before 
thee, and thou hast given us into the 
Thands of our enemies, because we 
glorified their gods: O Lord, thou art 
8 righteous. Nevertheless it satisfieth 
them not, that we are in bitter captivi- 
ty: but they have stricken hands with 
9 their idols, that they will abolish the 
thing that thou with thy mouth hast 
ordained, and destroy thine inherit- 
ance, and stop the mouth of them that 
praise thee, and quench the glory of 
10 thy house, and thine altar, and open 
the mouths of the heathen to set forth 
the virtues of 1 idols, and that a fleshly 
11 king shall be magnified for ever. O 
Lord, give not thy sceptre unto them 
that be nothing, and let them not laugh 
at our fall; but turn their device upon 
themselves, and make him an exam- 
ple, that hath begun this against us. 
12 Remember, O Lord, make thyself 
known in the time of our affliction, and 
give me boldness, O King of the gods, 
13 and holder of all dominion. Give me 
eloquent speech in my mouth before 


the lion: and turn his heart to hate him. 


that fighteth against us, that there 
may be an end of him, and of them that 
14 are likeminded with him: but deliver 
us with thine hand, and help me that 
am desolate and have no other helper 
15 but thee, O Lord. Thou hast know- 
ledge of all things; and thou knowest 
that I hate the glory of’*the wicked, 
and abhor the bed of the uncircum- 
16 cised, and of every alien. Thou know- 
est my necessity: that I abhor the 
sign of my high estate, which is upon 
mine head in the days wherein I shew 
myself. I abhor it as a menstruous 
rag, and I wear it not when I am pri- 
17 vate by myself. And thine handmaid 
hath not eaten at Aman’s table, nei- 
ther have I honoured the king’s feast, 
nor drunk the wine of the drink offer- 
18 ings. Neither had thine handmaid any 
joy since the day that I was brought 
hither to this present, but in thee, O 
19 Lord, thou God of Abraham. O God, 
that art mighty above all, hear the 
voice of the forlorn, and deliver us out 
of the hands of the mischievous, and 
deliver me out of my fear. 





15 And upon the third day, when she 
had ended her prayer, she laid away 
her garments of service, and put on 

2 her glorious apparel. And being ma- 
jestically adorned, after she had called 
upon the all-seeing God and saviour, 

3 she took her two maids with her: and 
upon the one she leaned, as carrying 

4 herself delicately ; and the other fol- 

5 lowed, bearing up her train. And she 
was ruddy through the perfection of 
her beauty, and her countenance was 
cheerful and right amiable: but her 

6 heart was in anguish for fear. Then 
having passed through all the doors, 
she stgod before the king, who sat up- 
on his royal throne, and was clothed 
with all his robes of majesty, all glit- 
tering with gold and precious stones ; 

7 and he was very dreadful. Then lifting 
up his countenance that was flushed 

‘with glory, he looked upon her in 
fierce anger : and the queen fell down, 
and turned pale, and fainted, and she 
bowed herself upon the head of the 
8maid that went before. Then God 
changed the spirit of the king into 
mildness, who in an agony leaped from 
his throne, and took her in his arms, 
till she came to herself again, and 
comforted her with soothing words, 

9 and said unto her, Esther, what is the 
matter? I am thy brother, be of good 

10 cheer: thou shalt not die, for ? eur 
commandment is for our subjects: 

1lcome near. So he held up his golden 

12 sceptre, and laid it upon her neck, and 
embraced her, and said, Speak unto 

18me. Then said she unto him, I saw 
thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and 
my heart was troubled for fear of thy 

14glory. For wonderful art thou, my 
lord, and thy countenance is full of 

15 grace. And as she was speaking, she 

16 fell down for faintness. Then the 
king was troubled, and all his servants 
comforted her.’ 

16 +‘ The great king Artaxerxes unto the 
governors of countries in a hundred 
and seven and twenty provinces from 
India unto Ethiopia, and unto them 
that are well affected to our state, 

2 greeting. Many, the more often they 
are honoured with the great bounty of 


their benefactors, the more proud they 2 


3 are waxen, and endeavour to hurt not 
our subjects only, but not being able to 
bear abundance, do take in hand to 
practise also against those that do 

4them good: and take not only thank- 
fulness away from among men, but 
also lifted up with the boastful words 
of them that were never good, they 
think to escape the evil-hating justice 
of God, who alway seeth all things. 

5 Oftentimes also fair speech of those 
that are put in trust to manage their 
friends’ affairs, hath caused many that 
are in authority to be partakers of 
innocent blood, and hath enwrapped 


60 














14. 


THE WISDOM 


OF SOLOMON. 


bee 4 








2 Gr.con- 
victeth. 





6 them in remediless calamities: beguil- 
ing with the false deceit of their lewd 
disposition the innocent good will of 

7 princes. Now ye may see this, as we 
have declared, not so much by more 
ancient histories, as ye may, if ye 
search what hath been wickedly done 
of late through the pestilent behaviour 
of them that are unworthily placed in 

8 authority. And we must take care for 
the time to come, to render our king- 
dom quiet and peaceable for all men, 

9 both by changing our purposes, and 
always judging things that come be- 
foreour éyes with more equal proceed- 

10 ing. For Aman, a Macedonian, the son 
of Amadathus, an alien in truth from 
the Persian blood, and far distant from 
our goodness, being asa guestreceived 


| 11 of us, had so far forth obtained the fa- 


your that we shew towardevery nation, 

as that he was called our father, and 
was continually honoured of allmen,as 
the next person unto the royal throne. 
12 But he, not bearing his high estate, 
_ went about to deprive us of our king- 
13 dom and our life; having by manifold 
and cunning deceits sought of ws the 
destruction, as well of Mardocheus, 
who saved our life, and continually 
procured our good, as also of Esther 
the blameless partaker ofourkingdom, 

14 together with their whole nation. For 
by these means he thought, finding us 
destitute of friends, to have translated 
the kingdom of the Persians to the 
15 Macedonians. But we find that the 
Jews, whom this most ungracious 
wretch hath delivered to utter de- 





struction, are no evildoers, but live 
16 by most just laws: and that they be 
children of the most high and most 
mighty living God, who hath ordered 
the kingdom both unto us and to our 
progenitors in the mostexcellent man- 
17ner. Wherefore ye shall do well not 
to putin execution the letters sent un- 
to youby Aman the sonof Amadathus. 
18 For he, that was the worker of these 
things, is hanged at the gates of Susa 
with all his family: God, who ruleth 
all things, speedily rendering venge- 
ance to him according to his deserts. 
19 Therefore ye shall publish openly the 
copy of this letter in all places, and 
let the Jews live after their own laws, 
20 and ye shall aid them, that even the 
same day, being the thirteenth day of 
the twelfth month Adar, they may 
defend themselves against those who 
set upon them in the time of their 
21 affliction. For Almighty God hath 
made this day to be a joy unto them, 
instead of the destruction of the 
22 chosen people. And ye shall therefore 
among your commemorative feasts 
keep it a high day with all feasting: 
23 that both now and hereafter there may 
be safety to us, and the well affected 
Persians; but to those which do con- 
Spire against usa memorialof destruc- 
24tion. Therefore every city or country 
whatsoever, which shall not do accord- 
ing to these things, shall be utterly de- 
stroyed without mercy with } fire and 
sword ; it shall be made not only un- 
passable for men, but also most hate- 
ful to wild beasts and fowls for ever. 





THE 


WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 





1 Love righteousness, ye that be judges 
of the earth, 
Gaeta ye of the Lord ‘with a good 


aie in singleness of heart seek ye 


2 Because he is found of them that 
tempt him not, 
And is manifested to them that do not 
distrust him. 
3 ge ae thoughts separate from 
0 
And the supreme Power, when it is 
brought to the proof, 2 putteth to 
confusion the foolish : 
4 Because wisdom will not enter into a 
soul that deviseth evil, 
Nor dwell in a body that is held in 
pledge by sin. 





5 For a holy spirit of discipline will flee 
deceit, 
And will start away from thoughts 
that are without understanding, 
And will be * put to confusion when 
unrighteousness hath come in. 
6 For * wisdom is a spirit that loveth 


man, 
And she will not hold a * blasphemer 
guiltless for his lips ; 
Because God beareth witness of his 
reins, 
And is a true overseer of his heart, 
And a hearer of his tongue : 
7 Because the spirit of the Lord hath 
filled * the world, 
And that which holdeth all things 
together hath knowledge of every 
voice. 


61 





























2. 4 THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 2. 19. 
8 Therefore no man that uttereth un- And our life shall pass away as the 
righteous things shall be unseen ; traces of a cloud, 
1 Some 1 Neither shall Justice, when it con- And shall be scattered as is a mist, 
tegen victeth, pass him by. When it is chased by the beams of the 
or 9 For in the midst of his counsels the sun, 
indeed ungodly shall be searched out; And * overcome by the heat thereof. | 9 Gr. 
And the sound of his words shall come | 5 For our allotted time is the passing of | weighed 
unto the Lord a shadow, — 
To bring to conviction his lawless And ?° our end retreateth not; 10 Or, 
deeds : Because it is fast sealed, and none | “ere ts 
10 Because there is anear of jealousy 11 turneth it back. tne back 
that listeneth to all things, 6 Come therefore and let us enjoy the | efour 
And the noise of murmurings is not good things * that now are; oe 
hid. And let us use the creation * with all | don2yh, 
11 Beware then of unprofitable murmur- our soul * as youth’s possession. again 
ing, 7 Let us fill ourselves with costly wine | /? Or, 
And refrain your tongue from back- and perfumes ; pega 
biting ; And let no flower of spring pass us | ear- © 
Because no secret utterance shall go by: nestly. 
on its way void, 8 Let us crown ourselves with rose- | >* Some 
And a mouth that belieth destroyeth buds, before they be withered : ties read 
a soul. 9 Let none of us go without his share pate 
12 Court not death in the error of your in our proud revelry : youth 
life ; Everywhere let us leave tokens of | 15 Some 
Neither draw upon yourselves destruc- our mirth: ppg 
tion by the works of your hands: Because this is our portion, and our | air. 
13 Because God made not death; lot is this. 
Neither delighteth he when the living | 10 Let us oppress the righteous poor ; 
perish: Let us not spare the widow, 
14 For he created all things that they Nor reverence the hairs of the old 
might have being: man gray for length of years. 
2 Or, all And *the generative powers of the | 11 But let our strength be to us a law of 
—— world are healthsome, righteousness ; 
tures And there is no poison of destruction For that which is weak is '° found to | 16 @r. 
eatin in them: be of no service. Ce 
3 Or a Nor hath Hades * royal dominion up- | 12 But mp us lie in wait for the righteous . 
royal on earth, ma 
house 15 For righteousness is immortal: Rates he is of disservice to us, 
16 But ungodly men by their hands and And is contrary to our works, 
4 Or, their words called ‘death unto And upbraideth us with sins against 
Hades them : 1 the law, 17 Or, 
5 Or, Deeming him a friend they > consumed And layeth to our charge sins against | 4” 
were con- away, ours pline. 
wiiltoce And they made a covenant with him,| 13 He a aa to have knowledge of 
f him Because they are worthy to be of his God, — 
portion. And nameth himself #* servant of the eae 
Lord. 
6 Or, 2. For they said *within themselves,| 14He became to us a reproof of our 
toad reasoning not aright, thoughts. 
Short and sorrowful is our life ; 15 He is grievous unto us even to behold, 
And there is no healing when a man Because his life is unlike other men’s, 
cometh to his end, And his paths are of strange fashion. 
Mice re- And none was ever known that 7 gave | 16 We were accounted of him as base 
Gut of release from Hades. metal, 
Hades 2 Because by mere chance were we And he abstaineth from our ways as 
born, from uncleannesses. 
And hereafter we shall be as though The latter end of the righteous he 
we had never been: calleth happy ; 
Because the breath in our nostrils is And he vaunteth that God is his fa- 
smoke, ther. 
8 Or, And * while our heart beateth reason | 17 Let us see if his words be true, 
cena is a spark, And let us try what shall befall in the 
kindled 3 Which being extinguished, the body ending of his Jife. 
hel shall be turned into ashes, 18 For if the righteous man is God’s son, 
of our And the spirit shall be dispersed as he will uphold him, 
cart thin air ; And he will deliver him out of the 
4 And our name shall be forgotten in hand of his adversaries. 
time, 19 With outrage and torture let us put 
And no man shall remember our him to the jest, 
works; That we may learn his gentleness, 


62 











pepe 




















221F: THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 4, 6. 
And may prove his patience _ under 12 Their wives are foolish, and wicked 
wrong. are their children ; 
20 Let us condemn him to a shameful | 13 Accursed is their begetting. 
death ; Because happy is the barren that is 
1 Gr. For the shall be visited according to undefiled, 
oe fe his words. She who hath not conceived in trans- 
a ental gression ; 
tion of | 21 Thus reasoned they, and they were She shall have fruit when God visiteth 
Of his led astray ; souls. 
words. For their 2 wickedness blinded them, | 14 And happy is the eunuch which hath 
ani) 22 And they knew not the mysteries of wrou éed with his 
se God, hands, 
_ Neither hoped they for wages of holi- Nor imagined wicked things against 
ness, the Lord; 
Nor did they judge that there is a For there shall be given him for his 
prize for blameless souls. faithfulness °a peculiar favour, 6 Or, the 
23 Because God created man for incor- And a lot in the sanctuary of the Lord or Go d's 
ruption, more delightsome than wife or chil- | Yozen 
And-made him an image of his own dren. Gr. a 
3 Some 3 proper being ; 15 For good labours have fruit of great oe 
~ authori. | 24-But by the envy of the devil death renown; 
everlast- entered into the world, And the root of understanding can- 
mgness. And they that are of his portion make not fail. 
trial thereof. 16 But children of adulterers shall not 
83 But the souls of the righteous are in come to maturity, 
_ the hand of God, And the seed of an unlawful bed shall 
And no torment shall touch them. vanish away. 
2 In the eyés of the foolish they seemed | 17 For if they live long, they shall be 
to have died; held in no account, 
And their departure was accounted to And at the last their old age shall be 
be their hurt, without honour. 
3 And their journeying away from us | 18 And if they die quickly, they ‘shall | 7 Some 
to be their ruin: have no hope, —— 
But they are in peace. Nor in the day of decision shall they | have. 
4 For even if in the sight of men they have consolation. 
be punished, 19 For * the end of an unrighteous gen-/| s Gr. 
Their hope is full of immortality ; eration is alway grievous. the ous 
5 And having borne a little chastening, | 4 Better than this is childlessness with ricvaak, 
they sha eive.great good; virtue ; 
Because God made trial of them, and For in the memory’ of virtue is im-| ° Gr. 
found them worthy of himself. mortality : of u. 
6As gol the furnace he proved Because it is recognised both before 
them, God and before men. 
And as a whole-burnt offering he ac-| 2 When it is present, men imitate it; 
cepted them. And they long after it when it is de- 
7 And in the time of their visitation they parted : 
shall shine forth, And throughout all time it march- | 1° Gr. in 
And as sparks among stubble they eth crowned in triumph, the age. 
shall run to and fro. Victorious in the strife for the prizes 
8 They shall judge nations, and have that are undefiled. 
dominion over peoples ; 3 But the multiplying brood of the un- 
And the Lord shall reign over them godly shall be of no profit, 
for evermore. And ™ with bastard slips they shall | +2 Gr. 
9 They that trust on him shall under- not strike deep root, 12 Or 
stand truth, Nor shall they establish a sure hold. offshoots 
4 Or, And * the faithful shall abide withhim | 4 For even if these * put forth boughs | 33 Gr. m 
oa De in love ; and flourish for a season, poruk. 
faithful Because grace and mercy are to his Yet, standing unsure, they shall be 
see h chosen. shaken by the wind, 
abide And by the violence of winds they 
with him | 10 But the ungodly shall be requited shall be rooted out. 
even as they reasoned, 5 Their branches shall be broken off 
~— They which lightly regarded *the before they come to maturity, 
which is righteous man, and revolted from And their fruit shail be useless, 
right- the Lord; Never ripe to eat, and fit for no- 
cous’ 11 (For he that setteth at nought wisdom thing. 
and discipline is miserable ;) 6 For children unlawfully begotten are 
And void is their hope and their toils witnesses of wickedness 
unprofitable, Against parents when God searcheth 
And useless are their works : them out. 
63 











5. 14. 

















SE THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 
And them that make his labours of no 
7 But a righteous man, though he die account. 
before his time, shall be at rest. 2 When they see *%it, they shall be | 9 or, 
8(For honourable old age is not that troubled with terrible fear, him 
which standeth in length of time, And shall be amazed at the marvel of 
Nor is its measure given by number God’s salvation. 
of years: 3 They shall say 1° within themselves | 10 or, 
9 But understanding is gray hairs unto repenting, 
men, And for distress of spirit shall they 
And an unspotted life is ripe old age.) groan, 
10 Being found well-pleasing unto God This was he whom aforetime we had 
he was beloved of him, in derision, 
And while living among sinners he And made a parable of “reproach: 11 Or, re- 
was translated : 4 We fools accounted his life madness, Fetal 
1 Or, 11 He was caught away, lest 1 wicked- And his end without honour : we ac- 
malice ness should change his understand-| 5 How was he numbered among sons | counted 
ing, of God? 
Or guile deceive his soul. And how is his lot among saints ? 
12 (For the bewitching of naughtiness | 6 Verily we went astray from the way 
bedimmeth the things which are of truth, 
good, And the light of righteousness shined 
And the giddy whirl of desire pervert- not for us, 
eth an innocent mind.) And the sun rose not for us. 
13 Being made perfect ina little while,| 7 We 1% took our fill of the paths of law- | 12 See 
2 Gr. he fulfilled long * years; lessness and destruction, tiger’ 
times. 14 For his soul was pleasing unto the And we journeyed through trackless 
Lord: deserts, 
3 Or, he Therefore * hasted he out of the midst But the way of the Lord we knew 
peecened of wickedness. not. 
away 15 But as for the peoples, seeing and} 8 What did our arrogancy profit us? 
understanding not, And what good have riches “and — 
4 Gr. Neither laying * this to heart, vaunting brought us? * 
Fray That grace and merey are with his| 9 Those things all passed away as a 
this. chosen, shadow, 
5 Gr. his And that ® he visiteth his holy ones :— And as a message that runneth by: 
resiage 4 16 But a righteous man that is dead | 10 Asaship passing through the billowy 
with. shall condemn the ungodly that are water, 
living. Whereof, when it is gone by, there is 
And yout that is quickly perfected no trace to be found, 
the many years of an unrighteous Neither pathway of its keel in the 
man’s old age; billows: 
17 For the ungodly shall see a wise | 11 Or as whena bird flieth through the 
man’s end, air, 
And shall not understand what the No token of her passage is found, 
Lord purposed concerning him, But the light wind, lashed with the 
And for what he safely kept him: — stroke of her pinions, 
18 They shall see, and they shall de- And rent asunder ‘ with the violent | 14 Or, 
spise; rush of the moving wings, is passed | Wit? the 
But them the Lord shall laugh to through, rush, is 
scorn. And afterwards no sign of her coming | 2assed, 
And after this they shall become a is found therein: the 
dishonoured carcase, 12 Or as when an arrow is shot at a pe jy 
6 Or, And ®a reproach among the dead for mark, wings 
cal ever: The air disparted closeth up again 
ourage | 19 Because he shall dash them speech- immediately, 15 Gr. 
less to the ground, So that men know not where it passed | /ailed. 
And shall shake them from the foun- through : Pte 
dations, 13 So we also, as soon aS we were born, | chased to 
7 Or, be And they shall 7 lie utterly waste, and 15 ceased to be; pagal 
pt they shall be in anguish, And of virtue we had no sign to shew, | thin 
desola- And their memory shall perish. But in our wickedness we were ut- Loan, 
tion terly consumed. ie Aten 
8 Or, 20 They shall come, * when their sins are | 14 Because the hope of the ungodly man | Greek | 
— reckoned up, with coward fear ; is as chaff carried by the wind, pra e 7 
reckon And their lawless deeds shall convict And ‘as 17 foam vanishing before a | joar 
~p their them to their face. tempest; Srost : 
“vd 5 Then shall the righteous man stand And is scattered as smoke is scattered | thorities, 
in great boldness by the wind, perhaps 
Before the face of them that afflicted And passeth by as the remembrance | Nghtly,a 
him, of a guest that tarrieth but a day. | web. 


64 











THE WISDOM 


OF SOLOMON. 


6. 22. 





wt 








15 But the righteous live for ever, 
And in the Lord is their reward, 
es the care for them with the Most 


High. 
16 Therefore shall they receive the 

crown of royal dignity 

And the diadem of beauty from the 
Lord’s hand; 

Because with his right hand shall he 
eover them, 

And with his arm shall he shield 


them. 
17 He shail take his jealousy as complete 
armour, 

And shall make the whole creation 
his weapons ! for vengeance on his 
enemies: 

18 He shall put on righteousness as a 
breastplate, 

And shall array himself with judge- 
ment unfeigned as with a helmet; 

19 He shall take holiness as an invinci- 
ble shield, 

20 And he shall sharpen stern wrath for 
a sword: 

And the world shall go forth with him 
to fight against his insensate foes. 

21 Shafts of lightning shall fly with true 


aim, 

And from the clouds, as from a well 
drawn bow, shall they leap to the 
mark. 

22 And as from an engine of war shall be 
hurled hailstones full of wrath ; 

The water of the sea shall be angered 
against them, 

And rivers shall sternly overwhelm 


them ; 
23 A mighty blast shall encounter them, 

And as a tempest shall it winnow 
them away: 

And so shall lawlessness make all the 
land desolate, 

And their evil-doing shall overturn the 
thrones of princes. 


6 Hear therefore, ye kings, and under- 
' stand; 

Learn, ye judges of the ends of the 
earth: 


2 Give ear, ye that have dominion over 
much people, 
And make your boast ?in multitudes 
of nations. 
3 Because your dominion was given 
you from the Lord, 
ah your sovereignty from the Most 
Who: aball search out your works, 
And shall make inquisition of your 
counsels : 
4 Because being officers of his kingdom 
ye did not judge aright, 
Neither kept ye *law, nor walked 
after the counsel of God. 
5 Awfully and swiftly shall he come 
upon you; 
Because a stern judgement befalleth 
them that be in high place: 


65 





6For the man of low estate may be 
pardoned in merey, 

But mighty men shall be *searched 
out mightily. 

7 For the Sovereign Lord of all will not 
refrain himself for any man’s per- 
son, 

Neither will he reverence greatness ; 

Because it is he that made both small 
and great, 

And alike he taketh thought for 


all; 
8 But® 'strict is the scrutiny that cometh 
upon the powerful. 
9 Unto you therefore, O princes, are my 
words, 
That ye may learn wisdom and ° fall 
not from the right way. 

10 For they that have kept holily the 
things that are holy shall themselves 
be 7 hallowed; 

And they that have been taught them 
shall find what to answer; 

11Set your desire therefore on my 
words ; 

Long for them, and ye shall be § train- 
ed by their discipline. 


12 Wisdom is radiant and fadeth not 
away; 
And easily is she beheld of them that 
love her, 
And found of them that seek her. 
13 She forestalleth them that desire to 
know her, making herself first 


known. 
14 He that riseth up early to seek her 
shall have no toil, 
For he shall find her sitting at his 


gates. 
15 For to think upon her is perfectness 
of understanding, 
And he that watcheth for her sake 
shall quickly be free from care. 
16 Because she goeth about, herself seek- 
ing them that are worthy of her, 
And in their paths she appeareth unto 
them graciously, 
And in every purpose she meeteth 


them. 
17 For * her * true beginning is desire of 
discipline ; 
And the care for discipline is love of 


her; 
18 And love of her is observance of her 
laws; 
And to give heed to her laws con- 
firmeth incorruption ; 
19 And incorruption “ bringeth near unto 


God ; 
20 So then desire of wisdom promoteth 
to a kingdom. 
21 If therefore ye delight in thrones and 
sceptres, ye princes of peoples, 
Honour wisdom, that ye may reign 
for ever. 
22 But what wisdom is, and how she 
came into being, I will declare, 
And I will not hide mysteries from 
you; 
F 


4 Gr. 
to the site 
test. 


8 Gr. dis- 
ciplined. 























4 18 THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. % OF. 
1 Or, But I will trace her out *from the Commended to him *by the gifts | » Gr. for 
pen be beginning of creation, which they through discipline pre- | “s 
ginning And bring the knowledge of her into sent to him. oF ihe 

clear light, that 
And I will not pass by the truth; 15 But to me may God give to speak | me % 
aot. 23 Neither indeed will I take ? pining 10 with judgement, pline. 
go envy for my companion in the way, And to conceive thoughts worthy of | *° Or,ac- 
8 Gr. - Because *envy shall have no fellow- what 11 hath been given me; ria 
me: ship with wisdom. Because himself is one that guideth | mind 
24 But a multitude of wise men is salva- even wisdom and that correcteth ponte el 
tion to the world, the wise. my aj 
And an understanding king is tran- | 16 For in his hand are both we and our | ”*” 
quillity to his people. words ; 14 Bewe 
25 Wherefore be disciplined by my All understanding, and all acquaint- | ties read 
words, and thereby shall ye profit. ance with divers crafts. is said. 
17 For himself gave me an unerring 
4 Many | 7 I myself also am ‘ mortal, like to all, knowledge of the things that are, 
pee And am sprung from one born of the To know the constitution of the world, 
a mortal earth, the man first formed, and the operation of the elements ; 
man. 2 And in the womb of a mother was | 18 The beginning and end and middle of 
I moulded into flesh in the time of times, 
ten months, The alternations of the solstices and 
Being compacted in blood of the seed the changes of seasons, 
of man and pleasure that came with | 19 The circuits of years and the ¥ posi-| 12 Or, 
sleep. tions of stars ; constel- 
3 And I also, when I was born, drew in| 20 The natures of living creatures and | mesg 
the common air, the ragings of wild beasts, 
5 Gr. And fell upon the * kindred earth, The violences of 1 winds and the} 13 Or, 
ics Uttering, like all, for my first voice, thoughts of men, spirits 
the selfsame wail: The diversities of plants and the vir- 
4 In swaddling clothes was I nursed, tues of roots: 
6 Gr. in. and ° with watchful cares. 21 All things that are either secret or 
5 For no king had any other first begin- manifest I learned, 
ning; 22 For she that is the artificer of all 
6 But all men have one entrance into things taught me, even wisdom. 
life, and a like departure. 
7 For this cause I prayed, and under- For there is in her a spirit quick of 
standing was given me: understanding, holy, 
I called upon God, and there came to 14 Alone in kind, manifold, 14 Gr. 
me a spirit of wisdom. Subtil, freely moving, oct 
81 preferred her before sceptres and Clear in utterance, unpolluted, : 
thrones, Distinct, unharmed, 
And riches I esteemed nothing in com- Loving what is good, keen, unhin- 
parison of her. dered, 
9 Neither did I liken to her any price- | 23 Beneficent, loving toward man, 
less gem, Stedfast, sure, free from care, 
Because all the gold of the earth in All-powerful, all-surveying, 
her presence is a little sand, And penetrating through all spirits. 
And silver shall be accounted as clay That are quick of understanding, pure, 
before her. most subtil: 
10 Above health and comeliness I loved | 24 For wisdom is more mobile than any 
her, motion; 
And I chose to have her.rather than Yea, she pervadeth and penetrateth 
light, all things by reason of her pure- 
Because her bright shining is never ness. 
laid to sleep. 25 For she is a “ breath of the power Of | 15 Gr. 
11 But with her there came to me all God, VERON. 
good things together, And a clear effluence of the glory of 
And in her hands innumerable riches : the Almighty ; 
12 And I rejoiced over them all because Therefore can nothing defiled find 
wisdom leadeth them ; entrance into her. 
Though I knew not that she was the | 26 For she is an effulgence from ever- 
7 Some 7 mother of them. lasting light, 
pape 13 As I learned without guile, I impart And an unspotted mirror of the work- 
first without grudging; ing of God, 
origin. I do not hide her riches. And an image of his goodness. 
14 For she is unto men a treasure that | 27 And she, being one, hath power to do 
8 Gr. faileth not, all things; 
thon. And they that use it * obtain friend- And remaining in herself, reneweth 
selves. ship with God, all things : 





66 





























67 





8. 11. THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 9. 4 
And from generation to generation And in the presence of “princes I | 13 Or, 
passing into holy souls shall be admired. = 
She maketh men friends of God and | 12 wae Tam silent, they shall wait for 
rophets. 
28 For oth tne doth God love save him And When I open my lips, they shall 
that dwelleth with wisdom. give heed unto me; 
29 For she is fairer than the sun, And if I continue speaking, they shall 
1 Gr. And above ‘all the constellations of lay their hand upon their mouth. 
: the stars: 13 Because of her I shall have immor- 
ment of Being compared with light, she is lity, 
found to be before it; And leave behind an eternal memory 
2 Gr. 30 For *to the light of day succeedeth to them that come after me. 
to this, night, 14 I shall govern peoples, 
But against wisdom evil doth not And nations shall be subjected to 
prevail; me. 
sie a 8 But she *reacheth from one end of} 15 Dread princes shall fear me when 
from the world to the other with full they hear of me: 
onward strength, Among my *people I shall shew | 14@r. 
wna ity And ordereth all things * graciously. myself a good ruler, and in war | multi- 
4 Or, courageous. 
unto 2 Her I loved and sought out from my | 16 When I am come into my house, I 
eat ee youth, shall find rest with her; 
And I sought to take her for my For converse with her hath no bitter- 
bride, ness, 
And I became enamoured of her And to live with her hath no pain, but 
beauty. gladness and joy. 
3 She glorifieth her noble birth in that | 17 When I considered these things in 
it is given her to live with God, myself, 
And the Sovereign Lord of all loved And took thought in my heart how 
her. that in kinship unto wisdom is im- 
4 For she is initiated into the know- mortality, 
ledge of God, 18 And in her friendship is good delight, 
5 Some And she ®chooseth out for him his And in the labours of her hands is 
eer. works. wealth that faileth not, 
deviseth 5 But if riches are a desired possession And in assiduous communing with | 1s gr. 
for him. in life, her is understanding, practice 
What is richer than wisdom, which And great renown in having fellow- | %ca™ 
worketh all things? ship with her words, 
Tease 6° And if understanding worketh, I went about seeking how to take her 
ot ae Who more than ? wisdom is an arti- unto myself. 
this _ ficer of the things that are? 19 Now I was **a child of parts, and a | 16 Or,a 
as 7 And if a man loveth righteousness, good soul fell to my lot; goodly 
corrupt. ® The fruits of wisdom’s labour are | 20 Nay rather, being good, I came into a a 
7 Gr. she virtues, body undefiled. 
8 Gr. Her For she teacheth soberness and un-| 21 But perceiving that I could not other- 
adi derstanding, righteousness and cou- wise possess wisdom except God | 17 This 
rage; gave her me cn 
And there is nothing in life for men (Yea and to know "by whom the cones 
more profitable than these. grace is given, this too came of un- | the k 
®Some | 8 And if aman longeth even for much derstanding), os 
pnp experience, I pleaded with the Lord and besought | perhaps 
how to She knoweth *the things of old, and him, woe 
divine 10 divineth the things to come: And with my whole heart I said, 18 Gr. of 
tan She understandeth subtilties of .| whom 
of old speeches and interpretations of | QO God of the fathers, and * Lord who ph 
things dark sayings: keepest thy mercy, 19 Gr. 
to come. She foreseeth signs and wonders, and Who madest all things *° by thy word; | Zerd 
10 Gr. the issues of seasons and times. 2And by thy wisdom thou formedst of vad 
Seoth: 9I determined therefore to take her man, Compare 
11 Or, unto me to live with me, That he should have dominion over | 25*™. 
hold Knowing that she is one who would the creatures that were made by| Ps.’ 
— 11 give me good thoughts for counsel, thee, ae 
- for good And “encourage me in cares and| 3 And rule the world in holiness and | 20g, in 
a. grief. righteousness, ; 
against | 10 Because of her I shall have glory And execute judgement in upright- 
_— among multitudes, ness of soul; 
grief And honour in the sight of elders,| 4 Give me wisdom, her that sitteth by 
12 Or, though I be young. thee on thy * throne; 21 Gr 
eo 111 shall be found of a quick conceit And reject me not from among thy | “7o"e* 
advise when I give judgement, 2 servants : children 














~ 














THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 10, 10. 
5 Because Iam thy bondman and the them which are on earth were cor- 
son of thy handmaid, rected, 
A man weak and short-lived, And men were taught the things that 
And of small power to understand are pleasing unto thee; 
judgement and laws. And through wisdom were they saved. 
6 For even if a man be perfect among 
the sons of men, 
Yet if the wisdom that cometh from 
thee be not with him, he shall be | 10% Wisdom guarded to the end the | 10 Gr. 
held in no account. first formed father of the world, that | S#e- 
7 Thou didst choose me before my bre- was created alone, 
thren to be king of thy people, And delivered him out of his own 
And to do judgement for thy sons and transgression, 
daughters. 2 And gave him strength to get domin- 
8 Thou gavest command to build a sanc- ion over all things. 
tuary.in thy holy mountain, 3 But when an unrighteous man fell 
And ‘an altar in the city of thy ? habi- away from her in his anger, 
tation, He perished himself in the rage 
A copy of the holy tabernacle which wherewith he slew his brother. 
thou preparedst aforehand from the | 4 And when for his cause the earth was 
beginning. drowning with a flood, 
9 And with thee is wisdom, which Wisdom again saved it, 
knoweth thy works, Guiding the righteous. man’s course 
And was present when thou wast by a poor piece of wood. 
making the world, 
And which understandeth what is 
pleasing in thine eyes, 5 Moreover, when nations consenting 
And what is right *according to thy together in wickedness had been 
commandments. confounded, 
10Send her forth out of the holy hea- 10 Wisdom knew the righteous man, 
vens, and preserved him blameless unto 
And from the throne of thy glory bid God, 
her come, And kept him strong when his heart 
That being present with me she may yearned toward his child. 
toil with me, 
And that I may learn what is well- 
pleasing before thee. 6 While the ungodly were perishing, 
11 For she knoweth all things and hath 10wisdom delivered a_ righteous 
understanding thereof, man, 
And in my doings she shall guide me When he flied from the fire that de- 
in ways of soberness, scended out of heaven on + Penta-| 1: That 
And she shall guard me in her glory. polis. is, the re- 
12 And soshall my works beacceptable;| 7 To whose wickedness a smoking Pe fine 
And I shall judge thy people right- waste still witnesseth, cities. 
eously, And plants bearing fair fruit that 
And I shall be worthy of my father’s cometh not to ripeness ; 
4 throne. Yea and a ® disbelieving soul hath a | 12 Or, 
13 For what man shall know the counsel memorial there, a pillar of salt stiiz | Gre 
of God? standing. 
Or who shall conceive what the Lord | 8 For having passed wisdom by, 
willeth ? Not only were they disabled from 
14 For the thoughts of mortals are recognising the things which are 
5timorous, good, 
ia And our devices are prone to fail. But they also left behind them 1% for | 13 Or, by 
hereis |15For a corruptible body weigheth human life a monument of their | “ei” We 
eee down the soul, folly; 
S One And the earthy frame lieth heavy on To the end that 1 where they went | 14 Gr. 
museth a mind that °is full of cares. astray they might fail even to be | “rem. 
“pow 16 And hardly do we ‘ divine the things unseen : pace 
things that are on earth, 9 But wisdom delivered out of troubles 
7 Gr. And the things that are close at hand those that waited on her. 
fae? we find with labour; 
: But the things that are in the heavens 
who ever yet traced out ? 10 When a righteous man was a fugitive 
8 Or, 17 And who ever gained knowledge of from a brother’s wrath, 1° wisdom 
rei thy counsel, except thou. ° gavest guided him in straight paths ; 
.-.and wisdom, She shewed him God’s kingdom, and 
—. And sentest thy holy spirit ?from on gave him knowledge of holy things ; 
Ohi the high ? She prospered him in his toils, and 
highest. | 18 And it was thus that the ways of multiplied the fruits of his labour ; 


68 











THE WISDOM 


OF SOLOMON. 


11. 19. 





9 


- 


ui 


g 


; 


: 
e 


f 


: 


nt 
nr 





ee 
2 





11 When in their covetousness men dealt 
hardly with him, 
an stood by him and made him 


ich ; 
12 She guarded him from enemies, 

And from those that lay in wait she 
kept him safe, 

And over his sore conflict she watched 
as judge, 

That he might know that godliness is 

_more powerful than ‘all. 


13 When a righteous man was sold, ? wis- 
dom forsook him not, 
- But *from sin she delivered him; 
She went down with him into a dun- 


geon, 
14 And in bonds she left him not, 

Till she brought him the sceptre of a 
kingdom, 

And authority over those that dealt 
tyrannously with him; 

She shewed them also to be false that 
had mockingly accused him, 

And gave him eternal glory. 


15 * Wisdom delivered a holy people and 
a blameless seed from a nation of 
oppressors. 

16 She entered into the soul of a servant 
of the Lord, 

And withstood terrible kings in won- 
ders and signs. 

17 She rendered unto holy mena reward 
of their toils; 

She guided them along a marvellous 
way, 
And became unto them a covering in 
the day-time, 
And a flame of stars through the 
night. 
18 She brought them over the Red sea, 
And led them through much water; 

| 19 But their enemies she drowned, 

And out of the bottom of the deep she 

cast them up. 


20 Therefore the righteous spoiled the | 


ungodly; 

And they sang praise to thy holy 
name, O Lord, 

And extolled with one accord thy 
hand that fought for them: 

21 Because wisdom opened the mouth of 

the dumb, 

And made the tongues of babes to 
speak clearly. 


11She prospered their works in the 
hand of a holy prophet. 


2They journeyed through a desert 
without inhabitant, 
And in trackless regions they pitched 
their tents. - 
3 They withstood enemies, and 5 repell- 
ed foes. | 
4 es thirsted, and they called upon 
ee, 
And there was given them water out 
of © the 7 flinty rock, 





And healing of their thirst out of the 
hard stone. 

5 For by what things their foes were 
punished, 

By these they in their need were 
benefited. 

6 ® When the enemy were troubled with 
clotted blood instead of a river’s 
ever-flowing fountain, 

7 To rebuke the decree for the slaying 
of babes, 

Thou gavest them abundant water 
beyond all hope, 

8 Having shewn them by ° the thirst 
which they had suffered how thou 
didst punish the adversaries. 

9 For when they were tried, albeit but 
in mercy chastened, 

They learned how the ungodly were 
tormented, being judged with 
wrath: 

10 For these, as a father, admonishing 
them, thou didst prove; 

But those, as a stern king, condemn- 
ing them, thou didst search out. 

11 Yea and whether they were far off 
Srom the righteous or near them, 
they were alike distressed ; 

12 For a double grief took hold on them, 

And a groaning at the remembrance 
of things past. 

13 For when they heard that through 
their own punishments the others 
10had been benefited, 

They felt the presence of the Lord; 

14 For him who long before was ™ cast 
forth and exposed they left off 
mocking: 

In the last issue of what came to pass 
12they marvelled, 


Having thirsted in another manner 
t 


than the righteous. 

15 But in requital of the senseless im- 
aginings of their unrighteousness, 

Wherein they were led astray to wor- 
ship irrational reptiles and wretch- 
ed vermin, 

Thou didst send upon them a mul- 
titude of irrational creatures for 
vengeance ; 

16 That they might learn, that by what 
things a man sinneth, by these he is 
punished. 

17 For thine all-powerful hand, 

That created the world out of formless 
matter, 

Lacked not means to send upon them 
a multitude of bears, or fierce lions, 

18 Or “ new-created wild beasts, full of 
rage, of unknown kind, 

Either breathing out a blast of fiery 
breath 


8 The 
text of 
this 
verse is 


perhaps 
corrupt. 


9 Gr. 
the then 
thirst. 


Or blowing forth from their nostrits | beasts, 


noisome smoke, 
Or flashing dreadful sparkles from 
their eyes; 
19 Which had power not only to consume 
them by their * violence, 
But to destroy them even by the ter- 
ror of their sight. 


69 

















12. 8. 


THE WISDOM 


OF SOLOMON. 


12. 19. 





1 Gr. 
that 
which 
just 
turneth, 
2 Gr. 
from. 


3 Or, 
souls 


4 Gr. fall 
aside. 


5 The 
words 
rendered 
slaugh- 
ters and 
impious 
in verses 





20 Yea and without these might they 
have fallen by a single breath, 
Being pursued by Justice, and scat- 
tered abroad by the breath of thy 
power. 
But by measure and number and 
weight thou didst order all things. 


21 For to be greatly strong is thine at 
all times ; 

And the might of thine arm who shall 
withstand? 

22 Because the whole world before thee 
is asta grain ?in a balance, 

And as a drop of dew that at morning 
cometh down upon the earth. 

23 But thou hast mercy on all men, be- 
cause thou hast power to do all 
things, , 

And thou overlookest the sins of men 
to the end they may repent. 

24 For thou lovest all things that are, 

And abhorrest none of the things 
which thou didst make; 

For never wouldest thou have formed 
anything if thou didst hate it. 

25 And how would anything have en- 
dured, except thou hadst willed it? 

Or that which was not called by 
thee, how would it have been pre- 
served? 

26 But thou sparest all things, because 
they are thine, 

O Sovereign Lord, thou lover of men’s 
s lives; 

12 For thine incorruptible spirit is in all 
things. 

2 Wherefore thou convictest by little 
and little them that +fallfrom the 
right way, 

And, putting them in remembrance by 
the very things wherein they sin, 
dost thou admonish them, 

That escaping from their wickedness 
they may believe on thee, O Lord. 


3 For verily the old inhabitants of thy 
holy land, 

4 Hating-them because they practised 
detestable works of enchantments 
and unholy rites 

5 (5 Merciless slaughters of children, 

And sacrificial banquets of men’s flesh 
and of blood), 

6 Confederates in an impious fellow- 
ship, 

And murderers of their own helpless 
babes, 

It was thy counsel to destroy by the 
hands of our fathers ; 

7 That the land which in thy sight is 
most precious of all lands 

Might receive a worthy colony of 
God’s ® servants. 

8 Nevertheless even these thou didst 
spare as being men, 

And thou sentest 7 hornets as fore- 
runners of thy host, 





To cause them to perish by little and 
little ; 

9 Not that thou wast unable to subdue 
the ungodly under the hand of the 
righteous in battle, 

Or by terrible beasts or by one stern 
word to make away with them at 


once ; 

10 But judging them by little and little 
thou gavest them a place of repent- 
ance, 

Not being ignorant that their nature 
by birth was evil, and their wicked- 
ness inborn, 

And that their manner of thought 
would in no wise ever be changed, 

11 For they were a seed accursed from 
the beginning: 

Neither was it through fear of any 
that thou didst leave them then 
unpunished for their sins. 


12 For who shall say, What hast thou 
done? 

Or who shall withstand thy judge- 
ment? 

And who shall accuse thee for the 
perishing of nations which thou 
didst make ? 

Or who shall come and stand before 
thee as an avenger for unrighteous 
men? 

13 For neither is there any God beside 
thee that careth for all, 

That thou mightest shew unto him 
that thou didst not judge unright- 


eously : 

14 Neither shall king or prince be able 
to look thee in the face to plead 
for those whom thou hast pun- 
ished. 

15 But being righteous thou rulest all 
things righteously, 

Deeming it a thing alien from thy 
power 

To condemn one that doth not himself 
deserve to be punished. 

16 For thy strength is the beginning of 
righteousness, 

And thy sovereignty over all maketh 
thee to forbear all. 

17 For when men believe not that thou 

art perfect in power, thou shewest 
thy strength, 

8 And 9 in dealing with them that know 
it thou puttest their boldness to 
confusion. 

18 But thou, being sovereign over thy 
strength, judgest in gentleness, 

And with great forbearance dost thou 
govern us; 

For the power is thine whensoever 
thou hast the will. 


19 But thou didst teach thy people by 
such works as these, 
How that the righteous must be a 
lover of men ; 


70 

















; 13. 3. 


THE WISDOM 


OF SOLOMON. 


13. 16. 








And thou didst make thy sons to be of 
good hope, 

Because thou givest repentance when 
men have sinned. 

20 For if on them that were enemies of 

thy 1 servants and due to death 

Thou didst take vengeance with so 
great heedfulness and indulgence, 

Giving them times and place whereby 
they might escape from their wick- 


edness ; 

21 With how great carefulness didst thou 
judge thy sons, 

To whose fathers thou gavest oaths 
and covenants of good promises! 

22 While therefore thou dost chasten us, 
thou scourgest our enemies ten 
thousand times more, 

To the intent that we may ponder thy 
goodness when we judge, 

And when we are judged may look 
for mercy. 

23 Wherefore also the unrighteous that 
lived in folly of life 

Thou didst torment through their own 
abominations. 

24 For verily they went astray very far 
?in the ways of error, 

Taking as gods those ? animals which 
even among their enemies were held 
in dishonour, 

Deceived like foolish babes. 

25 Therefore, as unto unreasoning chil- 
dren, thou didst send thy judgement 
to mock them. 

26 But they that would not be admon- 
ished *by a mocking correction as 
of children 

Shall have experience of a judgement 
worthy of God. 

27 For through the sufferings whereat 
they were indignant, 

Being punished in these creatures 
which they supposed to be gods, 

They saw, and recognised as the true 
God him whom before they 5 refused 
to know: - 

Wherefore also the last end of con- 
demnation came upon them. 


18 For verily all men by nature * were 
but vain who had no perception of 


re) 
And from the good things that are 
seen they gained not power to know 
him that is, 
Neither by giving heed to the works 
did they recognise the artificer; 
2 But either fire, or wind, or swift air, 
Or ‘ circling stars, or raging water, or 
§ luminaries of heaven, 
They thought to be gods that rule the 
world, 
3 And if it was through delight in their 
beauty that they took them to be 


gods, 
Let them know how much better than 
these is their Sovereign Lord; 
at the first author of beauty created 
em: 





4 But if it was through astonishment at 
their power and ° influence, 

Let them understand from them how 
much more powerful is he that 
formed them ; 

5 For from the * greatness of the beauty 
1leyen of created things 

12 Tn like proportion #* does man form 
the image of their first maker. 

6 But yet for these *men there is but 
small blame, 

For they too peradventure do but go 
astray 

While they are seeking God and 
desiring to find him. 

7 For “living among his works they 
make diligent search, 

And they yield themselves up to 


sight, because the things that they of 


look upon are beautiful. 
8 But again even they are not to be 
excused. 
9 For if they had power to know so 
much, 
That they should be able to explore 
17 the course of things, 
How is it that they did not sooner find 
the Sovereign Lord of these his 
works? 


10 But miserable * were they, and in 

dead things * were their hopes, 

Who called them gods which are 
works of men’s hands, 

Gold and silver, wrought with careful 
art, and likenesses of animals, 

Or a useless stone, the work of an 
ancient hand. 

11 Yea and if some ” woodcutter, having 
sawn down a * tree that is easily 
moved, 

Skilfully strippeth away all its bark, 

And fashioning it in comely form mak- 
eth a vessel useful for the service of 
life ; 

12 And burning the refuse of his handy- 
work to dress his food, eateth his fill ; 

13 And taking the very refuse thereof 
which served to no use, 

A crooked piece of wood and full of 
knots, 

Carveth it with the diligence of his 
idleness, 

And shapeth it by the skill of his 
21 indolence : 


2 Then he giveth it the semblance of re 


the image of a man, 
14 Or maketh it like some paltry animal, 
Smearing it with vermilion, and with 
3 paint colouring it red, 


And smearing over every stain that is 
therein ; 
15 And having made for it a chamber 
worthy of it, 
He setteth it in a wall, making it fast 
with iron. 
16 While then he taketh thought for it 
that it may not fall down, 
Knowing that it is unable to help 
itself; 


71 





9 Gr. 
efficacy. 


10 Some 














14, 11. 


THE WISDOM 


OF SOLOMON. 


14, 24, 





2 Gr. by. 


3 The 
Greek 
text 
here is 
perhaps 
apahgga 


Future 
time 
Gr. age. 
& Or, is 


6 Or, 


Gr. in. 





(For verily it . an image, and hath 
need of hel Pi) 

17 When he maketh his prayer concern- 
ing goods and his marriage and chil- 
dren, 

He is not ashamed to speak to that 
which hath no life; 

18 Yea for health he calleth upon that 
which is weak, 

And for life he beseecheth that which 
is dead, 

And for aid he supplicateth that which 
hath least experience, 

And for a good journey that which 
cannot so much as move a step, 

19 And for gaining and ‘getting and 
good suceess of his hands 

He asketh ability of that which with 
its hands is most unable. 


14 Again, one preparing to sail, and 

about to journey over raging waves, 

Calleth upon a piece of wood more 

rotten than the vessel that carrieth 

him; 

2 For that vessel the hunger for gains 
devised, 

oon an artificer, even wisdom, built 


wake thy providence, O Father, guid- 
eth it along, 
Because even in the sea thou gavest a 


way, 
And in the waves a sure path, 
4 Shewing that thou canst save out of 
every danger, 
That so even without art a man may 
put to sea; 
5 And it is thy will that the works of 
thy wisdom should not be idle; 
Therefore also do men intrust their 
lives to a little piece of wood, 
And passing through the surge 2 ona 
raft are brought ‘safe to land. 
6 For *in the old time also, when proud 
giants were perishing, 
The hope of the world, taking refuge 
on a raft, 
Left to ‘the race of men a seed of 
generations to come, 
Thy hand guiding the helm. 
7 For blessed * hath been wood through 
which cometh righteousness : 
8 But the idol made with hands is ac- 
cursed, itself and he that made it; 
Because his was the working, and the 
corruptible thing was named a god: 
9¥For both the ungodly doer and his 
ungodliness are alike hateful to 


God; 
10 For verily the deed shall be punished 
together with him that committed 


it. 

11 Therefore also “among the idols of 
the nations shall there be a visita- 
tion, 

Because, though formed of things 
which God created, they were made 
an abomination, 





And stumblingblocks to the souls of 
men, 
And a snare to the feet of the foolish. 


12For the devising of idols was the 
beginning of fornication, 
And the invention of them the cor- 
ruption of life: 
13 For neither were they from the begin- 
ning, neither shall they be forever; 
14 For by the vaingloriousness of men 
they entered into the world, 
And therefore was a speedy end 
devised for them. 
15 For a father worn with untimely grief, 
Making an image of the child quickly 
taken away, 
Now honoured him as a god which 
was then a dead man, 
And delivered to those that were 
under him mysteries and solemn 


rites, 

16 Afterward the ungodly custom, in 
process of time grown strong, was 
kept as a law, 

And by the commandments of princes 
the graven images received worship. 

17 And when men could not honour them 
in presence because they dwelt far 


ou, 

Imagining the likeness from afar, 

They made a visible image of the king 
whom they honoured, 

That by their zeal they might flatter 
the absent as if present. 

18 But unto a yet higher pitch was wor- 
ship raised even by them that knew 
him not, 

Urged forward by the ambition of the 
artificer : 

19¥For he, wishing peradventure to 
please one in authority, 

Used his art to force the likeness 
toward a greater beauty ; 

20 And the multitude, allured by reason 
of the grace of his handywork, 

Now accounted as an object of devo- 
tion him that a little before was 
honoured as a man. 

21 And this became ‘a hidden danger 
unto life, 

Because men, in bondage either to 
calamity or totyranny, ~ 

Invested stones and stocks with the 
incommunicable Name. 


22 Afterward it was not enough for them 
to go astray as touching the know- 
ledge of God; 

But also, while they live *in *sore 
eonflict through ignorance of him, 
That multitude of evils they call 

peace. 

23 For either slaughtering children in 
solemn rites, or celebrating secret 
mysteries, 

Or holding frantic revels of strange 
ordinances, 

24 No longer do they % guard either life 
or purity of marriage, 


72 





7 Gr. an 
ambush. 














THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 


15. 18. 





PS 


HET HE 


Ben P He 
a | 


6 Gr. 
entire 





But one brings upon another either 
death by treachery, or anguish by 
adulterate offspring. 

25 And all things confusedly are filled 
with blood and murder, theft and 
deceit, 

Corruption, faithlessness, tumult, per- 

26 jury, ? turmoil, 

Ingratitude for benefits received, 

Defiling of souls, confusion of * sex, 

Disorder in marriage, adultery and 
wantonness. 

27 For the worship of * those * nameless 

_ idols 

Is a beginning and cause and end of 
every evil. 

28 For their worshippers either make 
merry unto madness, or prophesy 


es, 
Or live unrighteously, or lightly for- 
swear themselves. 
29 For putting their trust in lifeless 
idols, 
When they have sworn a wicked 
oath, they expect not to suffer 


harm. 
30 But for both sins shall the just doom 
pursue them, 
Because they had evil thoughts of 
God by giving heed to idols, 
And swore unrighteously in deceit 
through contempt for holiness. 
31 For it is not the power of them by 
whom men swear, 
But it is *that Justice which hath re- 
gard to them that sin, 
That visiteth always the transgres- 
sion of the unrighteous. 


15 But thou, our God, art gracious and 
true 


? 
Longsuffering, and in mercy ordering 
all things. 
2¥For even if wesin, we are thine, 
knowing thy dominion; 
But we shall not sin, knowing that we 
have been accounted thine: 
3 For to be acquainted with thee is 
6 perfect righteousness, 
And to know thy dominion is the root 
of immortality. 
4 For neither were we led astray by any 
evil device of men’s art, 

Nor yet by painters’ fruitless labour, 
A form stained with varied colours; 
5 He sight whereof leadeth fools into 

ust: 
Their desire is for the breathless form 
of a dead image. 
6 Lovers of evil things, and worthy of 
such hopes as these, 
Are both they that do, and they that 
desire, and they that worship. 


7 For a potter, kneading soft earth, 
Laboriously mouldeth each several 
vessel for our service: 
Nay, out of the same clay doth he 
fashion 


73 





Both the vessels that minister to clean 
uses, and those of a contrary sort, 

All in like manner ; 

But what shall be the use of each ves- 
sel of either sort, 

The * craftsman himself is the judge. 

8 And also, labouring to an evil end, he 

mouldeth a vain god out of the same 
clay, 

He who, having buta little before 
been made of earth, 

After a short space goeth his way to 
the earth out of which he was taken, 

When he is required to render back 
the *soul which was lent him, 

9 Howbeit he hath anxious care, 

Not because his powers must fail, 

Nor because his span of life is short; 

But he matcheth himself against gold- 
smiths and * silversmiths, 


8 Gr. 
worker 
in clay. 


And he imitateth moulders in * brass, pene 


And esteemeth it glory that he mould- 
eth counterfeits. 
10 His heart is ashes, 
And his hope of less value than earth, 
And his life of less honour than clay : 
11 Because he was ignorant of him that 
moulded him, 
And of him that inspired into him 
lan active * soul, 
And breathed into him a vital spirit. 
12 But * he accounted our very life to be 
a }* plaything, 
And our © lifetime a gainful '° fair; 
For, saith he, one must get gain 
whence one can, though it be by 


evil. ' 
13 For this man beyond all others know- 
eth that he sinneth, 
Out of earthy matter making brittle 
vessels and graven images. 
14 But most foolish “ were they all, and 
18 of feebler soul than a babe, 
The enemies of thy people, who op- 
pressed them ; 
15 Because they even accounted all the 
idols of the nations to be gods; 
Which have neither the use of eyes 
for seeing, 
Nor nostrils for drawing breath, 
Nor ears to hear, 
Nor fingers for handling, 
And their feet are helpless for walking. 
16 For a man made them, 
And one whose own spirit is borrow- 
ed moulded them; 
For no one hath power, being a man, 
to mould a god like unto himself, 
17 But, being mortal, he maketh a dead 
thing by the work of lawless hands ; 
For he is better than the objects of 
his worship, 
19Forasmuch as he indeed had life, 
but they never. 


18 Yea, and the creatures that are most 
hateful do they worship, 

20 For, being compared as to want of 
sense, these are worse than all 
others ; 

F* 




















16. 12. 


THE WISDOM 


OF SOLOMON. 


16. 25. 





1 Gr. 
strange. 


2 Gr. 
those. 


3 Gr. 
them. 





19 Neither, as seen beside other crea- 
tures, are they beautiful, so that one 
should desire them, 

But they have escaped both the praise 
of God and his blessing. 

16 For this cause were these men 
worthily punished through creatures 
like those which they worship, 

And tormented through a multitude 
of vermin. 

2 Instead of which punishment, thou, 
bestowing benefits on thy people, 

Preparedst quails for food, 

Food of ‘rare taste, to satisfy the 
desire of their appetite ; 

3 To the end that * thine enemies, de- 
siring food, 

Might for the hideousness of the crea- 
tures sent among them 

Loathe even the necessary appetite ; 

But these, thy people, having for a 
short space suffered want, 

Might even partake of food of * rare 
taste. 

4 For it was needful that upon those 
should come inexorable want in 
their tyrannous dealing, 

But that to these it should only be 
shewed how their enemies were tor- 
mented. 

5 For even when terrible raging of wild 
beasts came upon * thy people, 

And they were perishing by the bites 
of crooked serpents, 

Thy wrath continued not to the utter- 
most; 

6 But for admonition were they troubled 
for a short space, 

Having a token of salvation, 

To put them in remembrance of the 
commandment of thy law : 

7 For he that turned toward it was not 
saved because of that which was 
beheld, 

But because of thee, the Saviour of 


all. 
8 Yea, and in this didst thou persuade 
our enemies, 
That thou art he that delivereth out 
of every evil. 
9 For them verily the bites of locusts 
and flies did slay, 
And there was not found a healing for 
their life, 
Because they were worthy to be pun- 
ished by such as these; 
10 But thy sons not the very teeth of 
venomous dragons overcame, 
For thy mercy passed by where they 
- Were, and healed them. 
11 For they were * bitten, to put them in 
remembrance of thine oracles ; 
And were quickly saved, lest, falling 
into deep forgetfulness, 
They should become > unable to be 
6 roused by thy beneficence : 
12 For of a truth it was neither herb nor 
mollifying plaister that cured them, 
But thy word, O Lord, which healeth 
all things ; 





13 For thou hast authority over life and 
death, 
And thou leadest down to the gates 
of Hades, and leadest up again. 
14 But though a man may slay by his 
7 wickedness, 
Yet the spirit that is gone forth he 
turneth not again, 
Neither giveth release to the soul that 
Hades hath received. 


15 But thy hand it is not possible to 
escape ; 

16 For ungodly men, * refusing to know 
thee, were scourged in the strength 
of thine arm, 

Pursued with strange rains and hails 
and showers inexorable, 

And utterly consumed with fire ; 

17 For, what was most marvellous of all, 

In the water which quencheth all 
things the fire wrought yet more 
mightily ; 

For world fighteth for the right 


eou 

18 For at one time the flame lost its 
fierceness, 

That it might not burn up the crea- 
tures sent against the ungodly, 

But that these themselves as they 
looked might ®see that they were 
chased through the judgement of 
God: 

19 And at another time even in the midst 
of water it burneth above the power 
of fire, 

That it may destroy the * fruits of an 
unrighteous land. 

20 Instead whereof thou gavest thy peo- 
ple angels’ food to eat, 

And bread ready for their use didst 
thou provide for them from heaven 
without their toil, 

Bread having the virtue of every 
pleasant savour, 

And agreeing to every taste ; 

21 ¥For ™ thy * nature manifested thy 
sweetness toward thy children ; 

While that bread, ministering to the 
desire of the eater, 

Tempered itself according to every 
man’s choice. 

22 But snow and ice endured fire, and 
melted not, 

That men might know that fire was 
destroying the fruits of the enemies, 

Burning in the hail and flashing in the 


rains ; 

23 And *that this element again, in or- 
der that righteous men may be 
nourished, 

Hath even forgotten its own power. 

24 For the creation, ministering to thee 
its maker, 

Straineth its force against the un- 
righteous, for punishment, 

And slackeneth it in behalf of them 
that trust in thee, for beneficence. 

25 Therefore at that time also, convert- 
ing itself into all forms, 


74 





7 Or, 
malice 


. Or, 
enying 
that ane 


ys 


2 Some 
authori- 
ties read 
know. 


10 Gr. 
pro- 
ducts. 


11 Some 

authori- 

ties read 
the sub- 


stance 
thereof. 
12 Or, 
creation 
Gr. sub- 
stance. 


13 Some 

authori- 

ties omit 
that. 

















17. 8. THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 17. 21. 
It ministered to thine all-nourishing These were themselves sick with a 
bounty, ludicrous fearfulness: 
According to the desire of them that | 9For even if no troublous thing af- 
1 Or, 1 made supplication ; , frighted them, 
ang.pred 26 That thy sons, whom thou lovedst, O Yet, scared with the creepings of ver- 
Lord, might learn 10 min and hissings of serpents, they 
2 Gr. That it is not the ? growth of the perished * for very trembling, 8 Or, 
jana earth’s fruits that nourisheth a man, Refusing even to look on the air, which bling, 
: But that thy word preserveth them could on no side be escaped. and re- 
that trust thee. 11°¥For wickedness, condemned by a| /vsing to 
27 For that which was not marred by witness within, is a coward thing, uae 
fire, And, being pressed hard by con-| probable 
When it was simply warmed by a faint science, always *forecasteth the | fnse: 
sunbeam melted away ; worst lot: Gronk 
28 That it might be known that we must | 12 For fear is nothing else but a sur-| textis 
rise before the sun to give thee render of the succours which reason | Bicntly 
thanks, offereth ; corrupt. 
And must plead with thee at the dawn- | 13 And from within the heart the ex-|?° Peng 
ing of the light: pectation of them being less tea xe 
29 For the hope of the unthankful shall Maketh of greater account the igno- | hath 
~. melt as the winter’s hoar frost, rance of the cause that bringeth the 
And shall flow away as water that torment. 
hath no use. 14 But they, all through the night which 
was powerless indeed, 
1'7 For great are thy judgements, and And which came upon them out of the 
3 Or, set hard to * interpret ; recesses of powerless Hades, 
forth Therefore souls undisciplined went All sleeping the same sleep, 
astray. 15 Now were haunted by monstrous ap- 
2 For when lawless men had supposed paritions, 
that they held a holy nation in their And now were paralysed by their 
power, soul’s surrendering ; 
They themselves, prisoners of dark- For fear sudden and unlooked for 
ness, and bound in the fetters of a 11 came upon them, a Pees 
long night, 16So then every man, whosoever it| tes read 
Close kept beneath their roofs, might be, sinking down ?*in his | was 
Lay exiled from the eternal provi- place, — 
dence. Was kept in ward shut up in that | them. 
3 For while they thought that they were prison which was barred not with | 12 Gr. 
unseen in their secret sins, iron: thers 
— They were *sundered one from an-| 17 For whether he were a husbandman, 
tered by. other by a dark curtain of forget- or a shepherd, 
fulness, Or a labourer whose toils were in the 
Stricken with terrible awe, and sore wilderness, 
troubled by spectral forms. He was overtaken, and endured that 
5Gr.the | 4¥For neither did *the dark recesses inevitable necessity, 
oe that held them guard them from For with one chain of darkness were 
fears, they all bound. 
6 Some | But sounds *rushing down rang /| 18 Whether there were a whistling wind, 
ee around them, Or a melodious noise of birds among 
trou- And phantoms appeared, cheerless the spreading branches, 
bine with unsmiling faces. Or a measured fall of water running 
sore. 5 And no force of fire prevailed to give violently, 
them light, 19 Or a harsh crashing of rocks hurled 
Neither were the brightest flames of down, 
the stars strong enough to illumine Or the swift course of animals bound- 
that gloomy night: ing along unseen, 
6 But only there appeared to them the Or the voice of wild beasts harshly 
glimmering of a fire self-kindled, full roaring, 
of fear; Or an echo rebounding from * the hatte a 
And in terror they deemed the things hollows of the mountains, 
7 Some which they saw All these things paralysed them with 
mer To be worse than that sight, on which terror. 
And the they could not gaze. 20 For the whole world beside was en- 
pon Wf 77 And they lay helpless, made the sport lightened with clear light, 
: of magic art, And was occupied with unhindered 
art fay And a shameful rebuke of their vaunts works; 
pee of understanding : 21 While over them alone was spread a 
ful was 8 For they that promised to drive away heavy night, 
en A terrors and troublings from a sick An image of the darkness that should 
&e. soul, afterward receive them ; 








75 

















18. 12. THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 18. 24, 














But yet heavier than darkness were Had with them corpses without num- 
they unto themselves. ber; wa 
18 But for thy holy ones there was For the living were not sufficient even 
great light; to bury them, 
And the Egyptians, hearing their Since at a single stroke their 1 no-| 11 Gr. 
voice but seeing not their form, bler offspring was consumed. — be 
Counted it a happy thing that they | 13 For while they were disbelieving all 13 Ge 
too had suffered, things by reason of the enchant-| more 
2 Yet for that they do not hurt them ments, cherished 
now, though wronged by them be- Upon the destruction of the firstborn 
fore, they are thankful; they confessed the people to be 
And because they had been at vari- God’s son. 
ance with them, they made suppli- | 14 For while peaceful silence enwrapped 
cation to them. all things, 
3 Whereas thou didst provide for thy And night in her own swiftness was 
people a burning pillar of fire, in mid course, 
To be a guide for their unknown | 15 Thine all-powerful word leaped from 
journey, heaven out of 1° the royal ** throne, | 13 Or, 
1 Gr. un- And withal a ‘kindly sun for their A stern warrior, into the midst of the eh 
harmful: 2 proud exile. 15 doomed land, ps el 
pe ee 4 For well did * the Egyptians deserve | 16 Bearing as a sharp sword thine un- | is or, 
3 Gr. to be deprived of light and impri- feigned commandment; d. 
they. soned by darkness, And standing it filled all things with | ‘7 
They who had kept in close ward thy death ; 
sons, And while it touched the heaven it 
Through whom the incorruptible light trode upon the earth. 
4 Or, of the law was to be given to ‘the | 17 Then forthwith apparitions in dreams 
sare race of men. terribly troubled them, . 
Gr. the And fears came upon them unlooked 
age. 5 After they had taken counsel to slay for: 
the babes of the holy ones, 18 And each, one thrown here half dead, 
And when a single child had been another there, 
5 Or, to east forth and saved * to convict Made manifest wherefore he was dy- 
3 to them of their sin, ing: 
ps Thou tookest. away from them their | 19 For the dreams, perturbing them, did 
multitude of children, foreshew this, 
And destroyedst alltheir host together That they might not perish without 
in a mighty flood. knowing why they were afflicted. 
6 Of that night were our fathers made 
aware beforehand, 20 But it 1° befell the righteous also to | 1¢Gr. . 
That, having sure Knowledge, they make trial of death, touched. 
‘might be cheered by the oaths which And a multitude were stricken in the 
they had trusted: wilderness : 
pag By | 7 So by thy people was expected salva- Howbeit the wrath endured not for 
7 Or, of tion of the righteous and destruction long. 
blessing of the enemies ; 21 For a blameless man hasted to be 
Gr-@ | 8 For as thou didst take vengeance on their champion : 
men, or, the adversaries, Bringing the weapon of his own minis- 19 7% 
= Bona 6 By the same means, calling us unto try, LODE word 
8 Gr. thyself, thou didst glorify us. Even prayer and the propitiation of | rendered 
law of 9 For holy children 7of good men of- incense, differs 
age fered sacrifice in secret, He withstood the indignation, and set | oni 
© Some And with one consent they took upon an end to the calamity, hehe 
authori- themselves the covenant of the Shewing that he was thy servant. position 
rear 8 divine law, 22 And he overcame the ™ anger, of two 
saints That * they would partake alikeinthe| Not by strength of body, not by effi- | letters, 
ae same good things and the same cacy of weapons; reading 
pa perils; perils ; But by word did he subdue 1 the | of the 
aren sy The fathers already leading the sa- minister of punishment, text, 
hee cred songs of praise. By bringing to remembrance oaths hooray 
fathers’ | 10 But there sounded back in discord the and covenants made with the fa-| yields no 
pe ai ery of the enemies, thers. | Bense. 
10 Some 10 And a piteous voice of lamentation | 23 For when the dead were already fallen piesa A 
ne for children was borne abroad. in heaps one upon another, did he 
eed is el 11 And servant along with master pun- Standing between he stopped the ad- | subject 
piteously ished with a like just doom, vancing wrath, reake 
ahegad And commoner suffering the same as And ® cut off the way to the living. was pun- 
in king, 24 For upon his long high-priestly robe | tshing- 
lamenta- | 12 Yea, all the people together, under one was the whole world, see 
children. form of death, And the glories of the fathers were | asunder. 


76 


























19. 10. THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 19. 29. 
upon the graving of the four rows | 11 But afterwards they saw also a new 
1 Gr. of 1 precious stones, f 2 race of birds, 19 Or, ; 
stone, And thy majesty was upon the diadem When, led on by desire, they asked | 77% 
of his head. for luxurious dainties ; Gr. 
25 To these the destroyer gave place, | 12 For, to solace them, there came up | mere 
2 Some and these 2 the people feared ; for them quails from the sea. 
authori. For it was enough only to make trial 
ties read 
ie of the wrath. 13 And upon the sinners came the pun- 
Seared. : ishments 
19 But upon the ungodly there came Not without the tokens that were 
unto the end indignation without given “beforehand by the force of | 13 Some 
mercy ; the thunders ; ——. 
For their future also God foreknew, For justly did they suffer through their | before- 
2 How that, having changed their minds own wickednesses, pre 
to let thy people go, For ** grievous indeed was the hatred | ye¢ more 
And having speeded them eagerly on which they practised toward guests. | grievous 
their way, 14 % For whereas the men of Sodom re- ton 
They would repent themselves and ceived not “the strangers when | Greek 
pursue them. they came among them; text of 
3 For while they were yet in the midst “The Egyptians made slaves of | this and 
of their mourning, guests who were their benefac-| lowing 
And making lamentation at the tors. be ia 
graves of the dead, 15 And not only so, but God shall ** visit | corrupt 
They drew upon themselves another 19the men of Sodom after another | 16 Gr. 
counsel of folly, sort, them who 
And pursued as fugitives those whom Since they received as enemies them | them not 
with intreaties they had cast out. that were aliens ; 17 Gr. 
3 Or, 4 For *the doom which they deserved | 16 Whereas these jirst welcomed with esa 
ee ci * was drawing them ‘unto this end, feastings, a eo 
Sacesaity And it made them forget the things And then afflicted with dreadful toils, | them 
was that had befallen them, Them that had already shared with si Tangy 
rsa That they might fill up the punish- them in the same rights. men of 
pga ment which was yet wanting to|17And moreover they were stricken | Sodom | 
cy ea their torments, ’ [ with loss of sight .. bens 
a Gilead 5 And that thy people might ® journey (Even as were those others at the | 19 Gr. 
authori- on by a marvellous road, righteous, man’s doors), them. 
ties But they themselves might find a When, being compassed about with 
aslo. strange death. yawning darkness, 
They sought every one the passage 
6 For the whole creation, each part in through his own door. 
its several kind, was fashioned | 18 For as the notes of a psaltery vary the 
again anew, character of the rhythm, » 
Ministering to thy several command- Even so did the elements, changing 
ments, their order one with another, 
6 Or, That thy * servants might be guarded Continuing always the same, each in 
children free from hurt. its several sound; 
7 Then was beheld the cloud that sha- As may clearly be ®° divined from the as Gr. 
dowed the camp, sight of the things that are come to Pn 
And dry land rising up out of what pass. 
before was water, 19 For creatures of the dry land were 
Out of the Red sea an unhindered turned into creatures of the wa- 
highway, ters, 
And a grassy plain out of the violent And creatures that swim trode now 
surge; upon the earth: 
7 Or, 87 By which they passed over with all | 20 Fire kept the mastery of its own 
Through their hosts, power in the midst of water, 
These that were covered with thy And water forgat its quenching na- 
hand, ture: 21 The 
Having beheld strange marvels. 21 Contrariwise, flames wasted not the pia 
9 For like horses they roamed at large, flesh of perishable creatures that | Hes reaa 
8 Or, And they skipped about like lambs, walked among them; - c 
birth of Praising thee, O Lord, who wast their Neither ** melted they the *ice-like | mele? 
eos deliverer. grains of ambrosial food, that were | Latin 
living | 10 For they still remembered the things of nature apt to melt. Steere 
crea- that came to pass in the time of | 22 Forin all things, O Lord, thou didst | serv 
icon their sojourning, magnify thy people, penne 
sand flies How that instead of * bearing °® cattle And thou didst glorify them and not Gree 
11 Gr, the land brought forth ” lice, lightly regard them ; text. 
of the And instead of " fish the river cast up Standing by their side in every time pad 
waters. a multitude of frogs. and place. ind. 














1 Or, a 
like work 
The — 
word is 


of very 
doubtful 
mean- 


ing. 





THE WISDOM OF JESUS THE SON OF SIRACH, 


OR 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


The Prologue of the Wisdom of Jesus 

the Son of Sirach. 

WHEREAS many and great things have 
been delivered unto us by the law and 
the prophets, and by the others that 
have followed in their steps, for the 
which things we must give Israel the 
praise of instruction and wisdom; and 
since not only the readers must needs 
become skilful themselves, but also they 
that love learning must be able to profit 
them which are without, both by speak- 
ing and writing; my grandfather Jesus, 
having much given himself to the read- 
ing of the law, and the prophets, and the 
other books of our fathers, and having 
gained great familiarity therein, was 
drawn on also himself to write somewhat 
pertaining to instruction and wisdom; 
in order that those who love learning, 
and are addicted to these things, might 
make progress much more by living ac- 
cording to the law. Ye are intreated 
therefore to read with favour and atten- 
tion, and to pardon us, if in any parts of 
what we have laboured to interpret, we 
may seem to fail in some of the phrases. 
For things originally spoken in Hebrew 
have not the same force in them, when 
they are translated into another tongue: 
and not only these, but the law itself, 
and the prophecies, and the rest of the 
books, have no small difference, when 
they are spoken in their original lan- 
guage. For having come into Egypt in 
the eight and thirtieth year of Euergetes 
the king, and having continued there 
some time, I found !a copy affording no 
small instruction. I thought it therefore 
most necessary for me toapply some dil- 
igence and travail to interpret this book ; 
applying indeed much watchfulness and 
skill in that space of time to bring the 
book to an end, and set it forth for them 
also, who in the land of their sojourning 
are desirous to learn, fashioning their 
manners beforehand, so as to live accord- 
ing to the law. 


1 ALL wisdom cometh from the Lord, 
And is with him for ever. 
2 The sand of the seas, and the drops of 
rain, 
And the days of eternity, who shall 
number? 
3 The height of the heaven, and the 
breadth of the earth, 





And the deep, and wisdom, who shall 
search them out? 
4 Wisdom hath been created before all 
things, . 
And the understanding of prudence 
from everlasting.” 


6To whom hath the root of wisdom 
been revealed? 
And who hath known her shrewd 
counsels ?” 
8 There is one wise, greatly to be 
feared, 


The Lord sitting upon his throne: 
9 He created her, 
And saw, and numbered her, 
And poured her out upon all his 


works. 
10 She is with all flesh according to his 


gut ; 
And he gave her freely to them that 
love him. 
11 The fear of the Lord is glory, and 
exultation, 
And gladness, and a crown of rejoi- 


cing. 
12 The fear of the Lord shall delight the 
heart, 


And shall give gladness, and joy, and | 


length of days. 
13 Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go 
well with him at the last, 
And in the day of his death he shall 
be blessed. 
14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of 
wisdom ; 
And it was created together with the 
faithful in the womb. 
15 With men she * laid an eternal foun- 
dation ; 
And with their seed shall she be had 
in trust. 
16 To fear the Lord is the fulness of 
wisdom ; 
And she satiateth men with her 


fruits. 
17 She shall fill all her house with desir- 
able things, 
And her garners with her produce. 
18 The fear of the Lord is the crown of 
wisdom, 
Making peace and ‘ perfect health to 
flourish.® 
19 He both saw and numbered her ; 
He rained down skill and knowledge 
of understanding, 
And exalted the honour of them that 
hold her fast. 


78 





thorities. 


3 Gr. 
nested. 


best au- 
thorities. 





























2. 8. ECCLESIASTICUS. ay 
20 To fear the Lord is the root of wis-| 9 ay tame fear the Lord, hope for good 
dom; 1 ngs, 
1 Verse And her branches are length of days.! And for eternal gladness and mercy. 
is 10 Look at the generations of old, and 
ant 22 Unjust wrath can never be justified ; see: 
best au- For the sway of his wrath is his down- Who did ever put his trust in the 
thorities. fall. Lord, and was ashamed ? 
2Most | 23 A man thatis longsuffering will * bear Or who did abide in his fear, and was 
authori- 8 for a season, forsaken ? 
egy And afterward gladness shall spring Or who did call upon him, and he 
3 Or, up unto him; despised him? 
until his | 94 He will hide his words * for a season, | 11 For the Lord is full of compassion and 
And the lips of many shall tell forth mercy ; 
his understanding. And he forgiveth sins, and saveth in 
25 A parable of knowledge is in the trea- time of affliction. 
sures of wisdom ; 
But godliness is an abomination to a | 12 Woe unto fearful hearts, and to faint 
sinner. ; hands, 
26 If thou desire wisdom, keep the com- And to the sinner that goeth two 
mandments, ways! 
And the Lord shall give her unto thee | 13 Woe unto the faint heart! for it be- 
freely : lieveth not; 
27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom Therefore shall it not be defended. 
and instruction ; 14 Woe unto you that have lost your 
And in faith and meekness is his good patience! 
pleasure. And what will ye do when the Lord 
« The 28 Disobey not the fear of the Lord *; shall visit you? 
aeror And. come not unto him with a double | 15 They that fear the Lord will not dis- 
this line heart. obey his words ; 
tel by 29 Be not a hypocrite in the mouths of And they that love him will keep his 
the best men; ways. 
— And take good heed to thy lips. 16 They that fear the Lord will seek his 
- 30 Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, good pleasure; 
And bring dishonour upon thy soul; And they that love him shall be filled 
And so the Lord shall reveal thy with the law. 
secrets, 17 They that fear the Lord will prepare 
And shall cast thee down in the midst their hearts, 
of the congregation ; And will humble their souls in his 
Because thou camest not untothefear|18_ sight, saying 
of the Lord, We will fall into the hands of the 
And thy heart was full of deceit. Lord, 
And not into the hands of men: 
2, My son, if thou comest to serve the For as his majesty is, 
Lord, So also is his merey. 
Prepare thy soul for temptation. 
2Set thy heart aright, and constantly | 8 Hear me your father, O my children, 
endure, And do thereafter, that ye may be 
And make not haste in time of ca- saved. 
lamity. 2 For the Lord hath given the father 
3 Cleave unto him, and depart not, glory as touching the children, 
That thou mayest be increased at thy And hath confirmed the judgement of 
latter end. the mother as touching the sons, 
4 Accept whatsoever is brought upon} 3 He that honoureth his father shall 
thee, make atonement for sins: 
5 Gr. And be longsuffering ®* when thou} 4 And he that giveth glory to his mo- 
in the passest into humiliation. ther is as one that layeth up trea- 
cnenges 5 For gold is tried in the fire, sure. 
aun ili And acceptable men in the furnace of| 5 Whoso honoureth his father shall 
rg humiliation. have joy of his children; 
6 Put thy trust in him, and he will help And in the day of his prayer he shall 
thee be heard. 
Order thy ways aright, and set thy| 6 He that giveth glory to his father shall 
hope on him. have length of days; 
And he that hearkeneth unto the Lord | ¢ The 
7 Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his shall bring rest unto his mother, on oie 
mercy; 7° And will do service under his par- | words 
And turn not aside, lest ye fall. ents, as unto masters. per po 
8 Ye that fear the Lord, put yourtrust| 8 In deed and word honour thy father, Canitted 
in him ; That a blessing may come upon thee by. the 
And your reward shall not fail. from him. ped cag 


79 














3. 27. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


4, 14. 





1 Verse 
1 


thorities. 


2 Most 
authori- 
ties omit 
verse 25, 
and 
trans- 
se the 

ines in 

verse 26. 





3 Gr. 
sins. 


9 For the blessing of the father estab- 
lisheth the houses of children ; 

- But the curse of the mother rooteth 
out the foundations. : 


10 Glorify not thyself in the dishonour of 
thy father ; 
For thy father’s dishonour is no glory 
unto thee. 
11 For the glory of aman is from the 
honour of his father ; 
And amother in dishonour is a re- 
proach to her children. 
12 My son, help thy father in his old 


age; 
And grieve him not as long as he 
liveth. 
13 And if he fail in understanding, have 
patience with him ; 
And dishonour him not while thou art 
in thy full strength. 
14 For the relieving of thy father shall 
not be forgotten: 
And instead of sins it shall be added 
to build thee up. 
15 In the day of thine affliction it shall 
remember thee ; 
As fair weather upon ice, 
So shall thy sins also melt away. 
16 He that forsaketh his father is as a 
blasphemer ; 
And he that provoketh his mother is 
cursed of the Lord. 


17 My son, go on with thy business in 
meekness ; 
So shalt thou be beloved of an accept- 
able man. 
18 The et thou art, humble thyself 
the m 
And thal ‘shalt find favour before the 
Lord. 
20 For great is the potency of the Lord,. 
And he is glorified of them that are 


lowly. 
21 Seek not things that are too hard for 
thee, 
And search not out things that are 
above thy strength. 
22 Thethings that have been commanded 
thee, think thereupon; 
For thou hast no need of the things 
that are secret. 
23 Be not over busy in thy superfluous 
works: 
For more things are shewed unto thee 
than men can understand. 
24 For the conceit of many hath led them 
astray; 
And evil surmising hath caused their 
judgement to slip.” 


26 A stubborn heart shall fare ill at the 
last ; 
And he that loveth danger shall per- 
ish therein. 


27 A stubborn heart shall be laden with 


troubles ; 
And the sinner shall heap sin upon 
3 sin, 





28 The calamity of the proud is no heal- 


ing ; 
For a plant of wickedness hath taken 
root in him. 
29 The heart of the prudent will under- 
stand a parable; 
And the ear of a listener is the desire 
of a wise man. 
30 Water will quench a flaming fire ; 
And almsgiving will make atonement 
for sins. 
31 He that requiteth good turns is mind- 
ful of that which cometh afterward ; 
And in the time of his falling he shall 
find a support. 


4 My son, deprive not the poor of his 
living, 
And make not the needy eyes to wait 
long. 
2 Make not a hungry soul sorrowful; 
Neither provoke a man in his dis- 
tress. 
3 To a heart that is provoked add not 
more trouble ; 
And defer not to give to him that is in 
need, 
4 Reject not a suppliant in his afflic- 
tion ; 
And turn not away thy face from a 
poor man. 
5 Turn not away thine eye from one 
that asketh of thee, 
And give none occasion to a man to 
curse thee: 
6 For if he curse thee in the bitterness 
of his soul, 
He that made him will hear his sup- 
plication. 


7 Get thyself the love of the congrega- 
tion ; 
And to a great man bow thy head. 
8 Incline thine ear to a poor man, 
And answer him with peaceable 
words in meekness, 
9 Deliver him that is wronged from the 
hand of him that wrongeth him ; 
And be not fainthearted in giving 
judgement. 
10 Be as a father unto the fatherless, 
And instead of a husband unto their 
mother : 
So shalt thou be as a son of the Most 
High, 
And he shall love thee more than thy 
mother doth. 


11 Wisdom exalteth her sons, 
And taketh hold of them that seek 
her. 
12 He that loveth her loveth life; 
And they that seek to her early shall 
be filled with gladness. 


13 He that holdeth her fast shall inherit |. 


glory ; 
And where * he entereth, the Lord will 
bless. 
14 They that do her service shall minis- 
ter to the Holy One; 


80 





- 


4 Or, she 








, 
Me 


> dan, tae b 





ECCLESIASTICUS. 











And them that love her the Lord doth 
love. 
15 He that giveth ear into her shall 
judge the nations ; 
And he that giveth heed unto her shall 
dwell securely. 
16 If he trust her, he shall inherit her; 
And his generations shall have her in 
possession. 
17 For at the first she will walk with 
him in crooked ways, 
And will bring fear and dread upon 
him, 
And torment him with her discipline, 
Until she may trust his soul, and try 
him by her judgements: 
18 Thenwill she returnagain the straight 
way unto him, 
And will gladden him, and reveal to 
him her secrets. 
19If he go astray, she will forsake 
him, 
And give him over ! to his fall. 


20 Observe the opportunity, and beware 
of ? evil; 
And be not ashamed concerning thy 
soul. : 
21 i, there i is a shame that bringeth 


tind: there is a Shame that is glory and 


grace. 

22 Accept not the person of any against 
thy soul; 

And * reverence no man unto thy fall- 


ing. 
23 Refrain not speech, * when it tendeth 
to safety ; 
5 And hide not thy wisdom for the sake 
of fair-seeming. 
24 For by speech wisdom shall be known ; 
And instruction by the word of the 
tongue. 
25 Speak not against the truth; 
: And be abashed for thine ignorance. 
26 Be not ashamed to make confession 
of thy sins ; 
And force not the current of the river. 
27 Lay not thyself down for a fool to 
tread upon; 
And accept not the person of one that 
is mighty. 
28 Strive for the truth unto death, and 
the Lord God shall fight for thee. 


29 Be not ° hasty in thy tongue, 

And in thy deeds slack and remiss. 

30 Be not as a lion in thy house, 

Nor fanciful among thy servants. 

31 Let not thine hand be stretched out 
to receive, and 7 closed when thou 
shouldest repay. 

5 Set not thy heart upon thy goods; 
te say not, They are sufficient for 


2 Follow not thine own mind and thy 
strength, 
To walk in the desires of thy heart; 
3 And say not, Who shall have dominion 
over me? 





81 


For the Lord will surely take venge- 
ance on thee. 


4 Say not, I sinned, and what happened 
unto me? 
For the Lord is longsuffering.® 
5 Concerning atonement, be not with- 
out fear, 
To add sin upon sins: 
6 And say not, His compassion is great; 
He will be pacified for the multitude 
of my sins: 
For mercy and wrath are with him, 
And his indignation will rest upon 
sinners. 
7 Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord; 
And put not off from day to day: 
For suddenly shall the wrath of the 
Lord come forth ;? 
And thou shalt perish in the time of 
vengeance. 


8 Set not thine heart upon unrighteous 
gains: 
For thou shalt profit nothing in the 
day of calamity. 
9 Winnow not with every wind, 
And walk not in every path: 
Thus doeth the sinner that hath a 
double tongue. 
10 Be stedfast in thy understanding ; 
And let thy word be one. 


‘11 Be swift to hear; ° 


And with patience make thine an- 
swer. 
121f thou hast understanding, answer 
thy neighbour ; 
And if not, let thy hand be upon thy 
mouth. 
13 Glory and dishonour is in talk: 
And the tongue of a man is his fall. 
14 Be not called a whisperer ; 
And lie not in wait with thy tongue : 
For upon the thief there is shame, 
And an evil condemnation upon him 
that hath a double tongue. 
15 Ina great matter andin a small, be 
not ignorant ; 
6 And instead of a friend become not 
an enemy ; 
For an evil name shall inherit shame 
and reproach: 
Even so shall the sinner that hath a 
double tongue. 


2 Exalt not thyself in the counsel of thy 
soul; 
That thy soul be not torn in pieces as 
a bull: 
3 Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and 
destroy thy fruits, 
And leave thyself as a dry tree. 
4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that 
hath gotten it, 
And shall make him “a laughing- 
stock to his enemies. 


5 2 Sweet words will multiply a man’s 
friends ; 
G 




















6. 24. ECCLESIASTICUS. 7. 6. 
And a fair-speaking tongue will multi- | 25 Put thy shoulder under her, and bear 
ply courtesies. her, 
6 Let those that are at peace with thee And be not grieved with her bonds. 
be many ; 26 Come unto her with all thy soul, 
But thy counsellors one of a thou- And keep her ways with thy whole 
sand. power. 
7 If thou wouldest get thee a friend, get | 27 Search, and seek, and she shall be 
1 Or, in him 1 by proving, made known unto thee ; 
op ome And be not in haste to trust him. And when thou hast got hold of her, 
8 For there is a friend that is so for his let her not go. 
own occasion ; 28 For at the last thou shalt find her 
And he will not continue in the day of rest; 
thy affliction. ; And 4 she shall be turned for thee into | ¢ Or, i 
9 And there is a friend that turneth to gladness. - 
enmity ; 29 And her fetters shall be to thee for a 
And he will discover strife to thy covering of strength, 
reproach. And her chains for a robe of glory. 
10 And there is a friend that is a com-| 30 For there is a golden ornament upon 
panion at the table ; her, 
And he will not continue in the day And her bands are °a riband of | 5 Num. 
of thy affliction. blue. xv, 38. 
11 And in thy prosperity he will be as| 31 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of 
thyself, glory, 
And will be bold over thy servants: And shalt array thee with her as a 
12 If thou shalt be brought low, he will crown of rejoicing. 
be against thee, 
And will hide himself from thy face. | 32 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be 
13 Separate thyself from thine enemies; instructed ; 
And beware of thy friends. And if thou wilt yield thy soul, thou 
shalt be ® prudent. “0 ; 
2 Or, 14 A faithful friend is a strong 2? defence; | 33 If thou love to hear, thou shalt re- “ 
covert And he that hath found him hath ceive ; 
found a treasure. And if thou incline thine ear, thou 
15 There is nothing that can be taken in shalt be wise. 
exchange for a faithful friend ; 34 Stand thou in the multitude of the 
of Se And his excellency is beyond ° price. elders ; 





16 A faithful friend is a medicine of life; 
And they that fear the Lord shall find 


him. 
17 He that feareth the Lord directeth his 
friendship aright ; 
For as he is, so is his neighbour also. 


18 My son, gather instruction from thy 
youth up: 
And even unto hoar hairs thou shalt 
find wisdom. 
19 Come unto her as one that ploweth 
and soweth, 
And wait for her good fruits ; 
For thy toil shall be little in the tillage 
of her, 
And thou shalt eat of her fruits right 


soon. 
20 How exceeding harsh is she to the 
unlearned! 
And he that is without understanding 
will not abide in her. 
21 As a mighty stone of trial shall she 
rest upon him; 
And he will not delay to cast her from 
him. 
22 For wisdom is according to her name; 
and she is not manifest unto many. 


23 Give ear, my son, and accept my 
judgement, 
And refuse not my counsel, 
24 And bring thy feet into her fetters, 
And thy neck into her chain. 





And whoso is wise, cleave thou unto 


him. 
35 Be willing to listen to every godly dis- 
course ; 
And let not the proverbs of under- 
standing escape thee. 
36 If thou seest a man of understanding, 
get thee betimes unto him, 
And let thy foot wear out the steps of 
his doors. 
37 Let thy mind dwell upon the ordi- 
nances of the Lord, 
And meditate continually in his com- 
mandments : 
He shall establish thine heart, 
And thy desire of wisdom shall be 
given unto thee. 


'T Do no evil, so shall no evil overtake 
thee. 

2 Depart from wrong, and it shall turn 
aside from thee. 

3 My son, sow not upon the furrows of 
unrighteousness, 

And thou shalt not reap them seven- 

fold. 


4 Seek not of the Lord preeminence, 
Neither of the king the seat of honour. 
5 Justify not thyself in the presence of 
the Lord; 
And display not thy wisdom before 
the king. 
6 Seek not to be a judge, 


82 




















7. 25. ECCLESIASTICUS. 8. 8. 
Lest thou be not able to take away And give her to a man of understand- 
iniquities ; ing. 
Lest haply thou fear the person of a 
mighty man, 26 Hast thou a wife after thy mind? 
And lay a stumblingblock in the way east her not out: 
of thy uprightness. 5 But trust not thyself to one that is | 5 Many 
6 hateful. sane. 
7 Sin not against the multitude of the | 27 Give glory to thy father with thy | thisline 
city, whole heart; Kons 
And cast not thyself down in the And forget not the pangs of thy mo- 
crowd. ther. 
8 Bind not up sin twice 28 Remember that of them thou wast 
For in one sin thou ‘shalt not be un- born: 
punished. And what wilt thou recompense them 
9 Say not, He will look upon the multi- for the things that they have done 
tude of my gifts, for thee ? 
And when I offer to the Most High 
1 Or, God, he will accept ! it. 29 Fear the Lord with all thy soul; 
a 10 Be not fainthearted in thy prayer ; And reverence his priests. 
And neglect not to give alms. 30 With all thy strength love him that 
made thee; 
11 Laugh not a man to scorn when he is And forsake not his ministers. 
in the bitterness of his soul; 31 Fear the Lord, and glorify the priest; 
For there is one who humbleth and And give him his portion, even as it 
exalteth. is commanded thee; 
2 Gr. 12 2 Devise not a lie against thy brother ; The firstfruits, and the trespass offer- 
Ee Neither do the like to a friend. ing, and the gift of the shoulders, 
13 Love not to make any manner of lie; And the sacrifice of sanctification, 
For the custom thereof is not for and the firstfruits of holy things. 
good. 
14 Prate not in the multitude of elders; | 32 Also to the poor man stretch out thy 
And repeat not thy words in thy hand, 
prayer. That thy blessing may be perfected. 
33 A gift hath grace in the sight of every 
15 Hate not laborious work ; man living ; 
Neither husbandry, which the Most And for a dead man keep not back 
3 Gr. High hath * ordained. grace. 
created. | 16 Number not thyself among the multi- | 34 Be not wanting to them that weep; 
tude of sinners: And mourn with them that mourn. 
Remember that wrath will not tarry. | 35 Be not slow to visit a sick man; 
17 Humble thy soul greatly ; For by such things thou shalt gain 
For the punishment of the ungodly love. 
man is fire and the worm. 36In all thy 7matters remember thy | 7 ee ry 
last end, 
18 Change not a friend for a thing indif- And thou shalt never do amiss. 
ferent; 
Neither a true brother for the gold of | & Contend not with a mighty man, 
phir. Lest haply thou fall into his hands. 
19 Forgo not a wise and good wife; 2 Strive not with a rich man, lest haply 
For her grace is above gold. he overweigh thee: 
20 Entreat not evil a servant that work- For gold hath destroyed many, 
eth truly, And turned aside the hearts of kings. 
4 Or, soul Nora hireling that giveth thee his‘life.| 3 Contend not with a man that is full of 





21 Let thy soul love a wise servant; 
Defraud him not of liberty. 


22 Hast thou cattle? have an eye to 
them ; 
And if they are profitable to thee, let 
them stay by thee. 
23 Hast thou children? correct them, 
And bow down their neck from their 


youth. 

24 Hast thou daughters? give heed to 
their body, 

And make not thy face cheerful to- 

ward them. 

25 Give thy daughter in marriage, and 
thou shalt have accomplished a 
great matter: 





tongue, 
And heap not wood upon his fire. 


4 Jest not with a rude man, 
Lest thine ancestors be dishonoured. 
5 Reproach not a man when he turneth 
from sin: 
Remember that we are all worthy of 
punishment. 
6 Dishonour not a man in his old age; 
For some of us also are waxing old. 
7 Rejoice not over one that is dead: 
Remember that we die all. 


8 Neglect not the discourse of the wise, 
And be conversant with their pro- 
verbs ; 


83 

















ECCLESIASTICUS. 








9. 7. 10. Bi 
For of them thou shalt learn instruc-| 8 Turn away thine eye from a comely 
tion, woman, 
And how to minister to great men. And gaze not on another’s beauty : 
9 Miss not the discourse of the aged; By the beauty of a woman many have 
For they also learned of their fa- ~ been led astray; 
thers: And herewith love is kindled as a fire. 
Because from them thou shalt learn| 9 Sit not at all with a woman that hath 
understanding, a husband ;* 3 A line 
And to give answer in time of need. And revel not with her at the wine; | of this 
Lest haply thy soul turn aside unto | is here 
10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, her, omnes 
x ak Lest thou be burned with the 1 flame And with thy spirit thou slide into iaek ant 
_ rhea of his fire. destruction. thorities. 
11 Rise not up from the presence of an 
insolent man, 10 Forsake not an old friend ; 
Lest he lie in wait as an ambush for For the new is not comparable to him: 
thy mouth. As new wine, so is a new friend; 
12 Lend not toa man that is mightier If it become old, thou shalt drink it 
than thyself; with gladness. 
And if thou lend, be as one that hath 
lost. 11 Envy not the glory of a sinner; 
13 Be not surety above thy power: For thou knowest not what shall be 
And if thou be surety, take thought as his overthrow. 
one that will have to pay. 12 Delight not in the delights of the 
ungodly: 
14 Go not to law with a judge; Remember they shall not go unpun- 
For according to his honour will they ished unto * the grave. 4 Gr. 
give judgement for him. Hades. 
15 Go not in the way with arash man, | 13 Keep thee far from the man that hath 
Lest he be aggrieved with thee ; 5 power to kill, 5 Or, au- 
For he will do according to his own And thou shalt have no suspicion of ait 
will, the fear of death: 
And thou shalt perish with his folly. And if thou come unto him, commit no 
16 Fight not with a wrathful man, fault, 
And travel not with him through the Lest he take away thy life: 
desert: Know surely that thou goest about in 
For blood is as nothing in his sight ; the midst of snares, 
And where there is no help, he will And walkest upon the battlements of 
overthrow thee. a city. 
17 Take not counsel with a fool; 
For he will not be able to conceal the | 14 As well as thou canst, guess at thy 
matter. neighbours ; 
18 Do no secret thing before a stranger ; And take counsel with the wise. 
2 Or, wt For thou knowest not what ?he will| 15 Let thy converse be with men of 





bring forth. 
19 Open not thine heart to every man ; 
And let him not return thee a favour. 


QO Be not jealous over the wife of thy 
bosom, 
And teach her not an evil lesson 
against thyself. 
2 Give not thy soul unto a woman, 
That she should set her foot upon thy 
strength. 
3 Go not to meet a woman that playeth 
the harlot, 
Lest haply thou fall into her snares. 
4 Use not the company of a woman that 
is a singer, 
Lest haply thou be caught by her 
attempts. 
5 Gaze not on a maid, lest haply thou 
be trapped in her penalties. 
6 Give not thy. soul unto harlots, 
That thou lose not thine inheritance. 
7 Look not round about thee in the 
streets of the city, 
Neither wander thou in the SoaMATY 
places thereof. 





understanding ; 
And let all thy discourse be in the law 
of the Most High. 
16 Let just men be the companions of thy 
board ; 
And let ‘thy glorying be in the fear of 
the Lord. 


17 For the hand of the artificers a work 
shall be commended : 
And hethat ruleth the people shall be 
counted wise for his speech. 
18 A man full of tongue is dangerous in 
his city ; 
And he that i is headlong in his speech 
shall be hated. 


10 A wise judge willinstruct his people; 
And the government of a man of un- 
derstanding shall be well ordered. 
2 As is the judge of his people, so are 
his ministers ; 
And as is the ruler of the city, such 
are all they that dwell therein. 
3 An uninstructed king will destroy his 
people ; 


84 




















10. 19. ECCLESIASTICUS. 11. 6 
And a city will be established through | 20 In the midst of brethren he that rul- 
the understanding of the power- eth them hath honour ; 
ful. And in the eyes of the Lord they that 
4 Inthe hand of the Lord is the author- fear him.* 4 Verse 
ity of the earth ; 22 The rich man, and the honourable, | oiiittea 
And in due time he will raise up over and the poor, by the 


thorities. 





it one that is profitable. 
5 In the hand of the Lord is the pro- 
sperity of a man; 
And upon the person of the scribe 
shall he lay his honour. 


6 Be not wroth with thy neighbour for 
every wrong; 
And do nothing by works of violence. 
7 Pride is hateful before the Lord and 
before men ; 
And in the judgement of both will 
unrighteousness err. 
8 Sovereignty is transferred from nation 
to nation, 
Because of iniquities, and deeds of 
violence, and greed of money. 
91 Why is earth and ashes proud ?? 
Because in his life he hath cast away 
his bowels. 
10 7¢ is a long disease; the physician 
mocketh : 
And he is a king to-day, and to-mor- 
row he shall die. 
11 For when a man is dead, 
He shall inherit creeping things, and 
beasts, and worms. 
12 Zt is the beginning of pride when a 
man departeth from the Lord; 
And his heart is departed from him 
that made him. 
13 For the beginning of pride is sin; 
And he that keepeth it will pour forth 
abomination. 
For this cause the Lord brought upon 
them strange calamities, 
And overthrew them utterly. 
14 The Lord cast down the thrones of 
rulers, 
And set the meek in their stead. 
15 The Lord plucked up the roots of 
nations, 
And planted the lowly in their stead. 
16 The Lord overthrew the lands of 
nations, 
And destroyed them unto the founda- 
tions of the earth. 
17 He took some of them away, and de- 
stroyed them, 
And made their memorial to cease 
from the earth. 
18 Pride hath not been created for men, 
Nor wrathful anger for the offspring 
of women. 


19% What manner of seed hath honour ? 

the seed of man. 

What manner of seed hath honour? 
they that fear the Lord. 

What manner of seed hath no hon- 
our? the seed of man. 

What manner of seed hath no hon- 
our? they that transgress the com- 
mandments. 





85 


Their glorying is the fear of the Lord. 
23 It is not right to dishonour a poor 
man that hath understanding ; 

And it is not fitting to glorify a man 
that is a sinner. 
24 The great man, and the judge, and the 
mighty man, shall be glorified; 
And there is not one of them greater 
than he that feareth the Lord. 
25 Free men shall minister unto a wise 
servant; 
And a man that hath knowledge will 
not murmur thereat. 


26 Be not over wise in doing thy work ; 
And glorify not thyself in the time of 
thy distress. 
27°Better is he that laboureth, and 
aboundeth in all things, 
Than he that glorifieth himself, and 
lacketh bread. 
28 My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, 
And give it honour according to the 
worthiness thereof. 
29 Who will justify him that sinneth 
against his own soul? 
And who will glorify him that dis- 
honoureth his own life ? 


30 A poor man is glorified for his know- 
ledge; 
And a rich man is glorified for his 
riches. 
31 But he that is glorified in poverty, 
how much more in riches ? 
And he that is inglorious in riches, 
how much more in poverty ? 


11 The wisdom of the lowly shall lift up 
his head, 
And make him to sit in the midst of 
great men. 


2 Commend not.a man for his beauty; 
And abhor not a man for his outward 
appearance. 
3 The bee is little among such as fly; 
And her fruit is the chief of sweet- 
meats. 
4Glory not in the putting on of rai- 


ment, 
And exalt not thyself in the day of 
honour ; 
For the works of the Lord are won- 
* derful, 
And his works are hidden among men. 
5 Many * kings have sat down upon the 
ground ; 
And one that was never thought of 
hath worn a diadem. 
6 Many mighty men have been greatly 
‘ disgraced; 
And men of renown haye been de- 
livered into other men’s hands. 





thorities. 


6 Gr. 
tyrants. 














11. 24. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


12. a 





thorities. 





7 pae not before thou hast exam- 
ined: 
Understand first, and then rebuke. 
8 Answer not before thou hast heard ; 
And interrupt not in the midst of 
speech. 
9 Strive not in a matter that concerneth 
thee not; 
And where sinners judge, sit not thou 
with them. 


10 My son, be not busy about many mat- 
ters : 
For if thou meddle much, thou shalt 
not be unpunished; 
And if thou pursue, thou shalt not 
overtake ; 
And thou shalt not escape by fleeing. 
11 There is one that toileth, and labour- 
eth, and maketh haste, 
And is so much the more behind. 
12 There is one that is sluggish, and 
hath need of help, 
Lacking in strength, and that abound- 
eth in poverty ; 
And the eyes of the Lord looked upon 
him for good, 
And he set him up from his low es- 


tate, 
13 And lifted up his head; 
And many marvelled at him. 


14 Good things and evil, life and death, 
Poverty and riches, are from the 
Lord. 
17 The gift of the Lord remaineth with 
the godly, 
And his good pleasure shall prosper 
for ever. 
18 There is that waxeth rich by his 
wariness and pinching, 
And this is the portion of his reward: 
19 When he saith, I have found rest, 
And now will I eat of my goods; 
Yet he knoweth not what time shall 


pass, 
And he shall leave them to others, and 


fe. 
20 Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be 
conversant therein, 
And wax old in thy work. 


21 Marvel not at the works of a sinner; 

But trust the Lord, and abide in thy 
labour: 

For it is an easy thing in the sight of 
the Lord swiftly on the sudden to 
make a poor man rich. 

22 The blessing of the Lord is in the 
reward of the godly; . 

And in an hour that cometh swiftly 
he maketh his blessing to flour- 
ish. 

23 Say not, What use is there of me? 

And what from henceforth shall my 
good things be? 

24 Say not, I have sufficient, 

And from henceforth what harm shall 

happen unto me? 





25 In the day of good things there is a 
forgetfulness of evil things; 

And in the day of evil things a man 

will not remember things that are 


good. 
26 For it is an easy thing in the sight of 
the Lord 
To reward a man in the day of death 
according to his ways. 
27 The affliction of an hour causeth for- 
getfulness of delight; 
And in the last end of a manis the 
revelation of his deeds. 
28 Call no man blessed before his death; 
And a man shall be known in his 
children. 


29Bring not every man into thine 
house ; 

For many are the plots of the deceit- 
ful man. 

30 As a decoy partridge ina cage, so is 
the heart of a proud man; 

And as one that is a spy, he looketh 
upon thy falling. 

31 For he lieth in wait to turn things 
that are good into evil; 

And in things that are praiseworthy 
he will lay blame. 

32 From a spark of fire a heap of many 
coals is kindled ; 

And a sinful man lieth in wait for 
blood. 

33 Take heed of an evil-doer, for he 
contriveth wicked things ; 

Lest haply he bring upon thee blame 
for ever. 

34 Receive a stranger into thine house, 
and he will distract thee with 
brawls, 

And estrange thee from thine own. 


12 If thou do good, know to whom thou 
doest it; 
And thy good deeds shall have 
thanks. 
2 Do good to a godly man, and thou 
shalt find a recompense ; 
And if not from him, yet from the 
Most High. 
8 There shall no good come to him 
that continueth to do evil, 
Nor to him that giveth no alms. 
4 Give to the godly man, 
And help not the sinner. 
5 Do good to one that is lowly, 
And give not to an ungodly man: 
Keep back his bread, and give it not 
to him, 
Lest he overmaster thee thereby: 
For thou shalt receive twice as much 


evil 
For all the good thou shalt have done 
unto him. . 
6 For the Most High also hateth sin- 


ners, 
And will repay vengeance unto the 
ungodly. ? 
7 Give to the good man, 
And help not the sinner. 


86 





thorities. 

















13. 3. ECCLESIASTICUS. 13. 21. 
: 41f thou be profitable, he will make 
1 Or, 8 A man’s friend will not be + fully tried merchandise of thee ; 
ao in prosperity ; And if thou be in want, he will for- 
And his enemy will not be hidden in sake thee. 
adversity. 5 1f thou have substance, he will live 
9 In a man’s prosperity his enemies are with thee ; 
grieved ; And he will make thee bare, and will 
And inhis adversity even his friend not be sorry. 





will be separated from him. 
10 Never trust thine enemy: 
For like as the brass rusteth, sois his 
wickedness. 
11 Though he humble himself, and go 
crouching, 
Yet take good heed, and beware of 
him, 
And thou shalt be unto him as one 
that hath wiped a mirror, 
And thou shalt know that ? he hath 
not utterly rusted it. 
12 Set him not by thee, 
Lest he overthrow thee and stand in 
thy place; 
Let him not sit on thy right hand, 
Lest he seek to take thy seat, 
And at the last thou acknowledge my 
words, - 
And be pricked with my sayings. 
13 Who will pity a charmer that is bitten 
with a serpent, 
Or any that come nigh wild beasts ? 
14 Even so who will pity him that goeth 
‘to a sinner, 
And is mingled with him in his sins? 
15 For a while he will abide with thee, 
And if thou give way, he will not hold 


out. 
16 And the enemy will speak sweetly 
with his lips, 
And in his heart take counsel how to 
overthrow thee into a pit: 
The enemy will weep with his eyes, 
And if he find opportunity, he will 
not be satiated with blood. 
17 If adversity meet thee, thou shalt find 
him there before thee; 
And as though he would help thee, 
he will trip up thy heel. 
18 He will shake his head, and clap his 
hands, 
And whisper much, and change his 
countenance. 


13 He mg toucheth pitch shall be de- 
ed; 

And he that hath fellowship with a 
proud man shall become like unto 
him. 

2Take not up a burden above thy 
strength ; 

And have no fellowship with one that 
is mightier and richer than thyself. 

What fellowship shall the earthen 
pot have with the kettle? 

This shall smite, and that shall be 
dashed in pieces. 

3 The rich man doeth a wrong, and he 
threateneth withal: 

The poor is wronged, and he shall in- 
treat withal. 


87 





6 Hath he had need of thee? then he 
will deceive thee, 
And smile upon thee, and give thee 
hope: 
He will speak thee fair, and say, 
What needest thou? 
7 And he will shame thee by his meats, 
Until he have made thee bare twice 
or thrice, 
And at the last he will laugh thee to 
scorn: 
Afterward will he see thee, and will 
forsake thee, 
And shake his head at thee. 
8 Beware that thou be not deceived, 
and brought low in thy mirth. 
9If a mighty man invite thee, be re- 
tiring, 
And so much the more will he invite 
thee. 
10 Press not upon him, lest thou be 
thrust back; 
And stand not far off, lest thou be 
forgotten. 
11 Affect not to speak with him as an 
equal, 
And believe not his many words: 
For with much talk will he try thee, 
And in a smiling manner will search 
thee out. 
12 He that keepeth not to himself words 
spoken is unmerciful; 
And he will not spare to hurt and to 


bind. 
13 Keep them to thyself, and take ear- 
nest heed, 
For thou walkest *in peril of thy 
falling.* 


15 Every living creature loveth his like, 
And every man loveth his neighbour. 


16 All flesh consorteth according to kind, | and 


And a man will cleave to his like. 
17 What fellowship shall the wolf have 
with the lamb? 
So is the sinner unto the godly. 
18 What peace is there between the 
hyena and the dog? 
And what peace between the rich 
man and the poor? 
19 Wild asses are the prey of lions in 
the wilderness ; 
So poor men are pasture for the rich. 
20 Lowliness is an abomination to a 
proud man; 
So a poor man is an abomination to 
the rich. 


21 A rich man when he is shaken is held 
up of his friends; 
But one of low degree being down is 
thrust away also by his friends. 





thorities. 

















14. 12. ECCLESIASTICUS. 15,5. 
22 When a rich man is fallen, there are | 15 Do weet unto thy friend before thou 
many helpers ; 
1 Or, He speaketh 1 things not to be spoken, ree PRS to thy ability stretch 
secrete, and men justify him: out thy hand and give to him. | 
A man of low degree falleth, and men | 14 Defraud not thyself of a good day; 
rebuke him withal; And let not the portion of a good 
He uttereth wisdom, and no place is desire pass thee by. 
allowed him. 15 Shalt thou not leave thy labours unto 
23 A rich man speaketh, and all keep another ? 
silence ; And thy toils to be divided by lot? 
And what he saith they extol to the | 16 Give, and take, and beguile thy soul; 
clouds : For there is no seeking of luxury in 
A poor man speaketh, and they say, ’ the grave. 
Who is this? 17 All flesh waxeth old as a garment; 
And if he stumble, they will help to For the covenant from the beginning 
overthrow him. is, Thou shalt die the death. | 
18 As of the leaves flourishing on a thick 
24 Riches are good that have no sin; tree, 
And poverty is evil in the mouth of Some it sheddeth, and some it maketh 
the ungodly. to grow; . 
25 The heart of a man changeth his So also of the generations of flesh and 
countenance, blood, 
2 The Whether it be for good or for evil.” One cometh to an end, and another is 
of 6©| 26 A cheerful countenance is a token of born. 
this _ a heart that is in prosperity ; 19 Every work rotteth and falleth away, 
onitited And the finding out of parables is a And the worker thereof shall depart 
by the weariness of thinking. with it. 
— au- | 14 Blessed is the man that hath not 
ae slipped with his mouth, 20 Blessed is the man that shall ¢ medi- | + Most. 
And is not pricked with sorrow for tate in wisdom, - een. 
sins. And thatshall discourse by his under- | come to 
2 Blessed is he whose soul doth not standing. an end. 
condemn him 21 He that considereth her ways in his 
And who is not "fallen from his hope. heart 
Shall also have knowledge in her 
3 Riches are not comely for a niggard ; secrets. 
And what should an envious man do | 22 Go forth after her as one that track- 
with money? eth, 
4 He that gathereth by taking from his And lie in wait in her ways. 
own soul gathereth for others ; 23 He that prieth in at her windows 
And others shall revel in his goods. Shall also hearken at her doors, 
5 He that is evil to himself, to whom | 24 He that lodgeth close to her house 
will he be good? Shall also fasten a nail in her walls. 
And he shall not rejoice in his posses- | 25 He shall pitch his tent nigh at hand to 
sions. er, 
6 There is none more evil than he that And shall lodge in a lodging where 
envieth himself ; good things are. 
And this is a recompense of his |26He shall set his children under her 
wickedness. shelter, 
7 Even if he doeth good, he doeth it in And shall rest under her branches. 
forgetfulness ; 27 By her he shall be covered from heat, 
And at the last he sheweth forth his And shall lodge in her glory. 
wickedness. 15 He that feareth the Lord will do this ; 
8 Evil is he that envieth with his eye, And he that hath possession of the 
Turning away the face, and despising law shall obtain her. 
the souls of men. 2 And as a mother shall she meet him, 
9 A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied And receive him as a wife married in 
with his portion ; her virginity. 
And wicked injustice drieth up his| 3 With bread of understanding shall 
soul. she feed him, 
10 An evil eye is grudging of bread, And give him water of wisdom to 
And he is miserly at his table. drink. 
4 He shall be stayed upon her, and shall 
11 My son, according as thou hast, do not be moved ; 
well unto thyself, And shall rely upon her, and shall not 
And bring offerings unto the Lord be confounded. 
worthily. 5 And she shall exalt him above his 
12 Remember that death will not tarry, neighbours ; 
aes And that the covenant of *the grave And in the midst of the congregation 
tt is not shewed unto thee. shall she open his mouth. 








88 











Ig iar 





16. 5. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


16, 24. 











6 He shall inherit joy, and a crown of 
gladness, 
And an everlasting name. 
7 Foolish men shall not obtain her ; 
And sinners shall not see her. 
8 She is far from pride ; 
And liars shall not remember her. 
9 Praise is not comely in the mouth of 
a sinner ; 
For it was not sent him from the 


Lord. 
10 For praise shall be spoken in wis- 
dom 
And the Lord will prosper it. 


11 Say not thou, It is through the Lord 
that I fell away; 
For thou shalt not do the things that 
he hateth. 
12 Say not thou, It is he that caused me 
to err; 

For he hath no need of a sinful man. 
13 The Lord hateth every abomination; 
And they that fear him love it not. 

14 He himself made man from the begin- 


ning, 
And left him in the hand of his own 


~ counsel. 
15 If thou wilt, thou shalt keep the com- 
mandments ; 
And to perform faithfulness is of thine 
own good pleasure. 
16 He hath set fire and water before 
thee: 
Thou shalt stretch forth thy hand 
unto whichsoever thou wilt. 
17 Before man is life and death; 
And whichsoever he liketh, it shall 
be given him. 
18 For great is the wisdom of the Lord: 
He is mighty in power, and beholdeth 
all things ; 
19 = rots his eyes are upon them that fear 


And he will take knowledge of every 
work of man. 
20 He hath not commanded any man to 
be ungodly; 
And he hath not given any man _ li- 
eence to sin. 


16 Desire not a multitude of unprofita- 
ble children, 
Neither delight in ungodly sons. 
2 If they multiply, delight not in them, 
Except the fear of the Lord be with 
them. 
3 Trust not thou in their life, 
Neither rely on their condition : 
For one is better than a thousand; 
And to die childless than to have 
ungodly children. 
4 For from one that hath understanding 
shall a city be peopled; 
But a race of wicked men shall be 
» made desolate. 
5 Many such things have I seen with 
mine eyes; 
And mine ear hath heard mightier 
things than these. 


89 





6 In the congregation of sinners shall 
a fire be kindled ; 
And in a disobedient nation wrath is 
kindled. 
7 He was not pacified toward the giants 
of old time, 
Who revolted in their strength. 
8 He spared not those with whom Lot 
sojourned, 
Whom he abhorred for their pride. 
9 He pitied not the people of perdition, 
Who were taken away in their sins. 
10 And in like manner the six hundred 
thousand footmen, 
Who were gathered together in the 
hardness of their hearts. 
11 Even if there be one stiffnecked per- 
son, 
It is marvel if he shall be unpun- 
ished: 
For mercy and wrath are with him; 
He is mighty to forgive, and he pour- 
eth out wrath. 
12 As his mercy is great, sois his cor- 
rection also: 
He judgeth a man according to his 
works. 
13 The sinner shall not escape with his 
plunder ; 
_And the patience of the godly shall 
not be frustrate. 
14 He will make room for every work of 


mercy ; 
Each man shall find according to his 
works.* 
17 Say not thou, I shall be hidden from 
the Lord; 
And who shall remember me from on 
high? 
I shall not be known among so many 
people; 
For what is my soul in a boundless 
creation? 
18 Behold, the heaven, and the heaven 
of heavens, 


The deep, and the earth, shall be 
moved when he shall visit. 
19 The mountains and the foundations 
of the earth together 
Are shaken with trembling, when he 
looketh upon them. 
20 And no heart shall think upon these 
things: 
And who shall conceive his ways? 
21 And there is a tempest which no man 
shall see; 
Yea, the more part of his works are 
* hid. 
22 Who shall declare the works of his 
righteousness ? 
Or who shall endure them ? 
For his covenant is afar off.* 


23 He that is wanting in * understanding | t 


thinketh upon these things ; 
And an unwise and erring man think- 
eth follies. 
24 My son, hearken unto me, and learn 
knowledge, 
G 

















7. 47; 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


18. 8. 





thorities. 


5 Verse 


is 
omitted 
by the 
best au- 
thorities. 


thorities. 
7 Some 
ancient 
authori- 
ties read 
their. 

8 Verses 
and 21 
omitted 
by the 
best au- 
thorities. 
2 The 





thorities. 


And give heed to my words with thy 
heart. 
251 will shew forth instruction by 
weight, 
And declare knowledge exactly. 
26 In the judgement of the Lord are his 
works from the beginning; 
And from the making of them he dis- 
posed the parts thereof. 
27 He garnished his works for ever, 
And the beginnings of them unto their 
generations: 
They neither hunger, nor are weary, 
And they cease not from their works. 
28 No one thrusteth aside his neighbour ; 
And they shall never disobey his 
word. 
29 After this also the Lord looked upon 
the earth, 
And filled it with his blessings. 
3012 All manner of living things covered 
the face thereof ; 
And into it is their return. 


1'7 The Lord created man of the earth, 
And turned him back unto it again. 
2 He gave them days by number, anda 
set time, 
And gave them authority over the 
things that are thereon. 
3 He endued them with strength proper 
to them ; 
And made them according to his own 
image. 
4 He put the fear of man upon all flesh, 
And gave him to have dominion over 
beasts and fowls. 
6 Counsel, and tongue, and eyes, 
Ears, and heart, gave he them to 
understand withal. 
7 He filled them with the knowledge of 
wisdom, 
And shewed them good and evil. 
8 He set his eye upon their hearts, 
To shew them the majesty of his 
works,> 
10 And they shall praise the name of 
his holiness, 
6 That they may declare the majesty of 
his works. 
11 He added unto them knowledge, 
And gave them a law of life for a 
heritage. 
12He made an everlasting covenant 
with them, 
And shewed them his judgements. 
13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his 
glory ; 
And their ear heard the glory of * his 


voice. 
14 And he said unto them, Beware of all 
unrighteousness ; 
And he gave them commandment, 
each man concerning his neighbour. 


15 Their ways are ever before him; 
They shall not be hid from his eyes.® 
17*For every nation he appointed a 
ruler ; 
And Israel is the Lord’s portion.® 





90 


19 sean hele works are as the sun before 
1m; 
And his eyes are continually upon 
their ways. 
20 Their iniquities are not hid from him; 
And all their sins are before the Lord.® 
22 With him the alms of a man is asa 
signet ; 
And he will keep the bounty of a man 
as the apple of the eye.’ 
23 Afterwards he will rise up and recom- 
pense them, 
And render their recompense upon 
their head. 
24 Howbeit unto them that repent he 
granteth a return; 
And he comforteth them that are los- 
ing patience. 


25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake 
sins: 
Make thy prayer before his face, and 
lessen the offence. 
26 Turn again to the Most High, and 
turn away from iniquity ; 
And greatly hate the abominable 
thing. 
27 Who shall give praise to the Most 
High in ” the grave, 
Instead of them which live and return 
thanks ? 
28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the 
dead, as from one that is not: 
He that is in life and health shall 
praise the Lord. 
29 How great is the mercy of the Lord, 
And his forgiveness unto them that 
turn unto him! 
30 For all things cannot be in men, 
Because the son of man is not im- 


mortal. 
31 What is brighter than the sun? yet 
this faileth: 
And an evil man will think on flesh 
and blood. 
32 He looketh upon the power of the 
height of heaven: 
And all men are earth and ashes. 


18 He that liveth for ever created all 
things in common. 

2 The Lord alone shall be justified. 

4 To none hath he given power to de- 
clare his works: 

And who shall trace out his mighty 
deeds? 

5 Who warty number the strength of his 
majesty ? 

And who shall also tell out his mer- 
cies ? 

6 As for the wondrous works of the 
Lord, it is not possible to take from 
them nor add to them, 

Neither is it possible to track them 
out. 

7 When a man hath finished, then he is 
but at the beginning; 

And when he ceaseth, then shall he be 
in perplexity. 

8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? 


11 Aline 


thorities. 














18. 26. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


19. 13. 











What is his good, and what is his 
evil? 
9The number of man’s days at the 
most are a hundred years. 
10 Asa drop of water from the sea, and 
a pebble from the sand; 
So are a few years in the day of 
eternity. 
11 For this cause the Lord was long- 
suffering over them, 
And poured out his mercy upon them. 
12 He saw and perceived their end, that 


itis evil; 
Therefore he multiplied his forgive- 
ness. 
13 The mercy of a man is upon his neigh- 
bour ; 
But the mercy of the Lord is upon all 
flesh ; 
Reproving, and chastening, and teach- 
ing, 
And bringing again, as a shepherd 
doth his flock. 
14 He hath mercy on them that accept 
chastening, 
And that diligently seek after his 
judgements. 


15 My son, to thy good deeds add no 
blemish ; 
And no grief of words in any of thy 


giving. 
16 Shall not the dew assuage the scorch- 
ing heat? 
So is a word better than a gift. 
17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? 
And both are with a gracious man. 
18 A fool will upbraid ungraciously ; 
And the gift of an envious man con- 
sumeth the eyes. 


19 Learn before thou speak; 
And have a care of thy health or ever 
thou be sick. 
20 Before judgement examine thyself; 
And in the hour of visitation thou 
shalt find forgiveness. 
21 Humble thyself before thou be sick; 
And in the time of sins shew repent- 


ance. 
22 Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy 
vow in due time; 
ar wait not until death to be justi- 
e 


d. 
23 Before thou makest a vow, prepare 
thyself; 
And be not as a man that tempteth 
the Lord. 
24 Think upon the wrath that shall bein 
the days of the end, 
And the time of vengeance, when he 
turneth away his face. 
25 In the days of fulness remember the 
time of hunger, 
And poverty and want in the days of 
wealth. 
26 From morning until evening the time 
changeth; 
And all things are speedy before the 
Lord. 





27 A wise man will fear in everything ; 
And in days of sinning he will beware 
of offence. 
28 Every man of understanding knoweth 


wisdom ; 
And he will give thanks unto him that 
found her. 

29 They that were of understanding in 
sayings became also wise them- 
selves, 

And poured forth apt proverbs. 


30 Go not after thy lusts ; 
And refrain thyself from thine appe- 
tites. 
31 If thou give fully to thy soul the de- 
light of her desire, 
She will make thee *the laughing- 
stock of thine enemies. 
32 Make not merry in much luxury ; 
Neither be tied to the expense there- 
of. 
33 Be not made a beggar by banqueting 
upon borrowing, 
When thou hast nothing in thy purse. 


19 A workman that is a drunkard shall 
not become rich: 
He that despiseth small things shall 
' fall by little and little. 
2 Wine and women will make men of 
understanding to fall away: 
And he that cleaveth to harlots will 
be the more reckless. 
3 Moths and worms shall have him to 
heritage; 
Anda reckless soul shall be taken 
away. 


4He that is hasty to trust is light- 
minded ; 
And he that sinneth shall offend 
against his own soul. 
5 He that maketh merry in his heart 
shall be condemned :1 
6*%And he that hateth talk hath the 
less wickedness. 
7 Never repeat what is told thee, 
And thou shalt fare never the worse. 
8 Whether it be of friend or foe, tell it 
not; 
And unless it is a sin to thee, reveal 
it not. 
9 For he hath heard thee, and observed 
thee, 
And when the time cometh he will 
hate thee. 
10 Hast thou heard a word? let it die 
with thee: ' 
Be Re good courage, it will not burst 
t 


ee. 
11 A fool will travail in pain with a 
word, 
As a woman in labour with a child. 
12 As an arrow that sticketh in the 
* flesh of the thigh, 
So is a word in a fool’s belly. 


13 Reprove a friend; it may be he did it 
not: 


91 





thorities. 


thorities. 


thigh of 
igh o; 
JSlesh. 











ECCLESIASTICUS. 


20. 22. 





And if he did something, that he may 
do it no more. 
14 Reprove thy neighbour; it may be he 
said it not: 
And if he hath said it, that he may not 
say it again. 
15 Reprove a friend; for many times 
there is slander : 
And trust not every word. 
16 There is one that slippeth, and not 
from the heart: 
And who is he that hath not sinned 
with his tongue? 
17 Reprove thy neighbour before thou 
threaten him ; 
And give place to the law of the Most 


And there is one that is hated for his 
much talk. 
6 There is one that keepeth silence, for 
he hath no answer to make; 
And there is that keepeth silence, as 
knowing his time. 
7 A wise man will be silent till his time 
come ; 
But the braggart and fool will over- 
pass his time. 
8 He that useth many words shall be 
abhorred ; 
And he that taketh to himself au- 
thority therein shall be hated. 


9 There is a prosperity that a man 


1 Verses High. findeth in misfortunes ; 

yey And there is a gain that turneth to 
omitted | 20 All wisdom is the fear of the Lord; loss. 
Sdlged ; And in all wisdom is the doing of the | 10 There is a gift that shall not profit 
thorities law.? thee ; 

2 The 22 And the knowledge of wickedness is And there is a gift whose recompense 
re gl not wisdom; is double. 

verse 20, And the prudence of sinners is not | 11There is an abasement because of 
eid : counsel. glory ; 

91, are 23 There is a wickedness, and the same And there is that hath lifted up his 
ee is abomination; head from a low estate. 

pir an- And there is a fool wanting in wisdom. | 12 There is that buyeth much for a little, 
thorities. | 24 Better is one that hath small under- And payeth for it again sevenfold. 


standing, and feareth, 
Than one that hath much prudence, 
and transgresseth the law. 


25 There is an exquisite subtilty, and the wasted. 
same is unjust; 14 The gift of a fool shall not profit 
And there is one that perverteth fa- thee’; 7 Aline 
your *to gain a judgement. For his eyes are many instead of one. | of ey 
26 There is one that doeth wickedly, that | 15 He will give little, and upbraid much; | fer 
hangeth down his head with mourn- And he will open his mouth like a | omitted 
ing; crier: heal one 
But inwardly he is full of deceit, To-day he will lend, and to-morrow he | thorities. 
27 Bowing down his face, and making as will ask it again: 
if he were deaf of one ear: Such an one is a hateful man. 
Where he is not known, he will be | 16 The fool will say, I have no friend, 
beforehand with thee. And I have no thanks for my good 
28 And if for want of power he be hin- deeds ; 
dered from sinning, They sh eat my bread are of evil 
If he find opportunity, he will do mis- tongu 
chief. 17 How ott, and of how many, shall he 
29 A man shall be known by his look, be laughed to scorn !& 8 The 
And one that hath understanding pei 
shall be known by his face, when | 18 A slip on a pavement is better than | verse 
thou meetest him. a slip with the tongue ; Mi ia 
30 A man’s attire, and >grinning laugh- So the fall of the wicked shall come | py the 
ter, speedily. best au- 
And gait, shew what he is. 19 A man without grace is as a tale out | *horities. 
of season : : 
20 There is a reproof that is not come- It will be continually in the mouth of 
y; the ignorant. 
And there is a man that keepeth si- | 20 A ® wise sentence from a fool’s mouth . Gr. 5: 


lence, and he is wise. 
2 How good is it toreprove, rather than 
to be wroth; 
And he that maketh confession shall 











13 He that is wise in words shall make 
himself beloved ; 
But the pleasantries of fools shall be 


will be rejected ; 
For he will not speak it in its season. 


21 There is that is hindered from sin- 


6 & Verse be kept back from hurt.® ning through want; 
A PP 4 As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower And when he taketh rest, he shall not 
by the a virgin ; be troubled. , 
Lich So is he that executeth judgements | 22 There is that destroyeth his soul 
y with violence. : through bashfulness ; 
5 There is one that keepeth silence, and And by a foolish countenance he will 
is found wise; destroy it. 


92 














21. 9. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


21. 25 











23 There is that for bashfulness promis- 
eth to his friend; 
And he maketh him his enemy for 
nothing. 


24 A lie isa foul blot in a man: 
It will be continually in the mouth of 
the ignorant. 
25 A thief is better than a man that is 
continually lying: 
But they both shall inherit destruc- 
tion. 
26 The disposition of a liar is dishonour ; 
And his shame is with him continu- 
ally. 


27 He that is wise in words shall ad- 
vance himself; 
And one that is prudent will please 
great men. ; 
28 He that tilleth his land shall raise his 
heap high; 
And he that pleaseth great men shall 
get pardon for iniquity. 
29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of 
the wise, 
And as a muzzle on the mouth, turn 
away reproofs. 
30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure 
that is out of sight, 
What profit is in them both? 
31 Better is a man that hideth his folly 
Than a man that hideth his wisdom. 


2.1 My son, hast thou sinned? add no 
more thereto ; 
And make supplication for thy former 
sins. 
2 Flee from sin as from the face of a 
serpent ; 
For if thou draw nigh it will bite 
thee: 
The teeth thereof are the teeth of a 


on, 
Slaying the souls of men. 

3 All iniquity is as a two-edged sword; 
Its stroke hath no healing. 


4 Terror and violence will lay waste 
riches ; 
So the house of a haughty man shall 
be laid waste. 
5 Supplication from a poor man’s mouth 
reacheth to the ears of ? God, 
And his judgement cometh speedily. 
6 One that hateth reproof is in the path 
of the sinner ; 
And he that feareth the Lord will turn 
again in his heart. 
7 He that is mighty in tongue is known 
afar off: 
But the man of understanding know- 
eth when he slippeth. 


8 He that buildeth his house with other 
men’s money 
Is like one that gathereth himself 
stones against winter. 
9 The congregation of wicked men is as 
tow wrapped together ; 





And the end of them is a flame of 


fire. 
10 The way of sinners is made smooth 
with stones ; 
And at the last end thereof is the pit 
of Hades. 


11 He that keepeth the law becometh 
master of the intent thereof; 
And the end of the fear of the Lord is 
wisdom. 
12 He that is not clever will not be in- 
structed ; 
And there is. a cleverness whieh mak- 
eth bitterness to abound. 
13 The knowledge of a wise man shall be 
made to abound as a flood; 
And his counsel as a fountain of life. 
14 The inward parts of a fool are like a 
broken vessel; 
And he will hold no knowledge. 


15 If a man of knowledge hear a wise 
word, 
He will commend it, and add unto 
it: 
The dissolute man heareth it, and it 
displeaseth him, 
And he putteth it away behind his 
back. 
16 The discourse of a fool is like a burden 
in the way; 
But oo shall be found on the lips of 


the 
17 The ah of the prudent man shall 
be sought for in the congregation ; 
And they will ponder his words in 
their heart. 


18 As a house that is destroyed, so is wis- 
dom to a fool; 
And the knowledge of an unwise man 
is as * talk without sense. 
19 Instruction is as fetters on the feet of 
an unwise man, 
And as manacles on the right hand. 
20A fool lifteth up his voice with laugh- 


ter 
But a clever man will scarce smile 
quietly. 
21 Instruction is to a prudent man as an 
ornament of gold, 
And as a bracelet upon his right arm. 


22 The foot of a fool is soon in another 
man’s house ; 
But a man of experience will be 
ashamed of entering. 
23 A foolish man peepeth in from the 
door of another man’s house ; 
But a man that is instructed will 
stand without. 
24 It is a want of instruction in a man to 
listen at the door; 
But the prudent man will be grieved 
with the disgrace. 
25 * The lips of strangers will be grieved 
at these things; 
But the words of prudent men will be 
weighed in the balance. 


93 




















22. 14. ECCLESIASTICUS. 23.‘ 4; 
And what is the name thereof, but a 
26 The heart of fools is in their mouth ; fool? 
But the mouth of wise men is their | 15 Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is 
heart. easier to bear, 
27 When the ungodly curseth Satan, Than a man without understanding, 
He curseth his own soul. 
28 A whisperer defileth his own soul, 16 Timber girt and bound into a building 
And shall be hated wheresoever he shall not be loosed with shaking: 
sojourneth. So a heart established in due season 
on well advised counsel shall not be 
299,A slothful man is compared to a afraid. 
stone that is defiled; 17A heart settled upon a thoughtful 
And every one will hiss him out in his understanding 
disgrace. Is as an ornament of plaister on a 
2A slothful man is compared to the polished wall. 


thorities. 


2 Or, de- 
led : in 
is on- 

slaught 

turn 





filth of a dunghill: 
Every man that taketh it up will 
shake out his hand. 


3A father hath shame in having be- 
gotten an uninstructed son; 
And a foolish daughter is born to his 
loss. 
4A prudent daughter shall i Si a 
husband of her own; 
And she that bringeth shame is the 
grief of him that begat her. 
5 She that is bold bringeth shame upon 
father and husband ; 
And she shall be despised of them 
both. 
6 Unseasonable discourse is as music 
in mourning; 
But stripes and correction are wisdom 
at every season. 


7 He that teacheth a fool is as one that 
glueth a potsherd together ; 
Even as one that waketh a sleeper 
out of a deep sleep. 
8 He that discourseth to a fool is as one 
discoursing to a man that slumber- 


eth; 
And at the end he will say, What is 
it?? 
11 Weep for the dead, for light hath 
failed him; 
And weep for a fool, for understand- 
ing hath failed him: 
Weep more sweetly for the dead, be- 
cause he hath found rest; 
But the life of the fool is worse than 
death. 
12 Seven days are the days of mourning 
for the dead ; 
But for a fool and an ungodly man, 
all the days of his life. 


13 Talk not much with a foolish man, 
And go not to one that hath no under- 
standing: 
Beware of him, lest thou have trou- 
ble ; 
And so thou shalt not be 2 defiled in 
his onslaught: 
Turn aside from him, and thou shalt 
find rest ; 
And so thou shalt not be wearied in 
his madness, 
14 What shall be heavier than lead? 





18 Pales set on a high place will not 
stand against the wind: 
So a fearful heart in the imagination 
of a fool will not stand against any 
fear. 


19 He that pricketh the eye will make 
tears to fall; 
And he that pricketh the heart mak- 
eth it to shew feeling. 
20 Whoso easteth a stone at birds fray- 
eth them away ; 
And he that upbraideth a friend will 
dissolve friendship. 
21 If thou hast drawn a sword against a 
friend, despair not; 
For there may be a returning. 
22 If thou hast opened thy mouth against 
a friend, fear not; 
For there may be a reconciling ; 
‘Except it be for upbraiding, and arro- 
gance, and disclosing of a secret, 
and a treacherous blow: 
For these things every friend will 
flee. 


23 Gain trust with thy neighbour in his 
poverty, 
That in his prosperity thou mayest 
have gladness : 
Abide stedfast unto him in the time of 
his affliction, 
That thou mayest be heir with him in 
his inheritance.* 
24 Before fire is the vapour and smoke of 
a furnace; 
So revilings before bloodshed. 
251 will not be ashamed to shelter a 
friend ; 
And I will not hide myself from his 
face: 
26 And if any evil happen unto me be- 
cause of him, 
Every one that heareth it will beware 
of him. 


27 Who shall set a watch over my mouth, 
And a seal of shrewdness upon my 


lips, 
That I fall not from it,and that my 
tongue destroy me not? 
930 Lord, Father and Master of my 
life 


Abandon me not to their counsel: 
Suffer me not to fall by them. 


94 


thorities. 




















23. 14. ECCLESIASTICUS. 9A, 92. 
2Who will set scourges over my/|15 A man that is accustomed to words 
thought, of reproach 
And a discipline of wisdom over mine Will not be corrected all the days of | 
heart? his life. 
That they spare me not for mine 
ignorances, 16 Two sorts of men multiply sins, « 
And my heart pass not by their sins : And the third will bring wrath : 
3 That mine ignorances be not multi- A hot mind, as a burning fire, will not 
plied, be quenched till it be consumed: 
And my sins abound not; A fornicator in the body of his flesh 
And I shall fall before mine adver- will never cease till he hath > burned 5 Or, 





saries, 
And mine enemy rejoice over me. 
40 Lord, Father and God of my life, 
Give me not a ? proud look? 
5 And turn away concupiscence from 


out the fire. 
17 All bread is sweet to a fornicator: 
He will not leave off till he die. 
18 A man that goeth astray from his 
own bed, 


me. Saying in his heart, Who seeth me ? 
6 Let not *greediness and chambering Darkness is round about me, and the 
overtake me; walls hide me, 
And give me not over to a shameless And no man seeth me; of whom am I 
mind. afraid ? 
The Most High will not remember 
7 Hear ye, my children, the discipline of my sins; 


the mouth; 
And he that kKeepeth it shall not be 
taken. 
8 The sinner shall be ¢ overtaken in his 


ps ; 
And the reviler and the proud man 
shall stumble therein. 
9 Accustom not thy mouth to an oath; 
And be not accustomed to the naming 
of the Holy One. 
10 For as a servant that is continually 
scourged shall not lack a bruise, 
So he also that sweareth and nameth 
5 God continually shall not be 
cleansed from sin. 
11 A man of many oaths shall be filled 
with iniquity ; 
And the scourge shall not depart from 
his house: 
If he shall offend, his sin shall be 
upon him; 
And if he disregard it, he hath sinned 
doubly ; 
And if he hath sworn in vain, he shall 
not be justified ; 


19— And the eyes of men are his terror, 
And he knoweth not that the eyes 
of the Lord are ten thousand times 
brighter than the sun, 
Beholding all the ways of men, 
And looking into secret places. 
20 All things were known unto him or 
ever they were created; 
And in like manner also after they 
were perfected. 
21 This man shall be punished in the 
streets of the city; 
And where he suspected not he shall 
be taken. 
22So also a wife that leaveth her hus- 
band, 
And bringeth in an heir by a stranger. 
23 For first, she was disobedient in the 
law of the Most High; 
And secondly, she trespassed against 
her own husband ; 
And thirdly, she played the adulteress 
in whoredom, 
And brought in children by a stranger. 
24She shall be brought out into the 


For his house shall be filled with congregation ; 
calamities. And upon her children shall there be 
12 There is a manner of speech that is visitation. 
clothed about with death: 25 Her children shall not spread into 
Let it not be found in the heritage of roots, — 
Jacob; And her branches shall bear no fruit. 
For all these things shall be far from | 26 She shall leave her memory for a 
the godly, curse ; 
And they shall not wallow in sins. And her reproach shall not be blotted 
13 Accustom not thy mouth to gross out. 


rudeness, 

For therein is the word of sin. 

14 Res thy father and thy mo- 

ther, 

For thou sittest in the midst of great 
men; 

That thou be not forgetful before 
them, 

And become a fool by thy custom; 

So shalt thou wish that thou hadst 
not been born, 

And curse the day of thy nativity. 


27 And they that are left behind shall 
know that there is nothing better 
than the fear of the Lord, 

And nothing sweeter than to take 
heed unto the commandments of 
the Lord.® 


2.4 Wisdom shall praise 7 herself, 
And shall glory in the midst of her 
people. 





shall she open her mouth, 
95 


2 In the congregation of the Most High her 


a 
Blaze up 




















94, 21. ECCLESIASTICUS. (25. 4. 
And glory in the presence of his | 22 He that seraveat me shall not be 
power. ashamed 
31 came forth from the mouth of the And they that work in me shall not 
Most Hi do amiss. 
And covered the earth as a mist. 
4 I dwelt in high places, 23 All these things are the book of the 
And my throne is in the pillar of the covenant of the Most High God, 
cloud. Even the law which Moses command- 
5 Alone I compassed the circuit of ed us for a heritage unto the as-| 
heaven, semblies of Jacob.* 3 Verse 
And walked in the depth of the abyss. | 25 It is he that maketh wisdom abun- ik ay 
6 In the waves of the sea, and in all the, dant, as Pishon, by the 
earth, And as Tigris in the days of new ae pot 
And in every people and nation, I got fruits; Brkt te 
a@ possession. 26 That maketh understanding full as 
7 With all these I sought rest ; Euphrates, 
And in whose inheritance shall I Andas Jordan in the days of harvest; 
lodge? 27 Thatmaketh instruction to shine forth 
8 Then the Creator of all things gave as the light, 
me a commandment ; As Gihon in the days of vintage. 
And he that created me made my | 28 The first man knew her not perfectly ; 
tabernacle to rest, And in like manner the last hath not 
And said, Let thy tabernacle be in traced her out. 
Jacob, 29 For her thoughts are filled from the 
And thine inheritance in Israel. sea, 
9He created me from the beginning And her counsels from the great 
before the world ; deep. 
And to the end I shall not fail. 
10 In the holy tabernacle I ministered | 30 And I came out as a*stream from a | * a 
before him; river, an 
And so was I established in Sion. And as a conduit into a garden. 
11 In the beloved city likewise he gave | 31 I said, I will water my garden, 
me rest; And will water abundantly my gar- 
And in Jerusalem was my authority. den bed; 
12 And I took root in a people that was And, lo, my stream became a river, 
glorified, And my river became a sea. 
Even in the portion of the Lord’s own | 32 I will yet bring instruction to light as 
inheritance. the morning, 
13 I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, And will make * these things to shine oe 


1 See 
Exodus 
xxx. 34. 


2 Verse 
18i 


thorities. 





And as a cypress tree onthe moun- 
tains of Hermon. 
141 was exalted like a palm tree on the 
sea shore, 
And as rose plants in Jericho, 

And as a fair olive tree in the plain ; 
And I was exalted as a plane tree. 
15 As cinnamon and aspalathus, I have 

given a scent of perfumes ; 
And as choice myrrh, Ispread abroad 
a pleasant odour ; 
As ! galbanum, and onyx, and stacte, 
And as the fume of frankincense in 
the tabernacle. 
16 As the terebinth I stretched out my 
branches ; 
And my branches are branches of 
glory and grace. 
17 As the vine I put forth grace; 
And my flowers are the fruit of glory 
and riches.” 
19 Come unto me, ye that are desirous 
of me, 
And be ye filled with my produce. 
20 For my memorial is sweeter than 
honey, 
And mine inhéritance than the honey- 


comb. 
21 They that eat me shall yet be hungry; 
And they that drink me shall yet be 
thirsty. 





forth afar off. 
33 I will yet pour out doctrine as pro- 
phecy, 
And leave it unto generations of ages. 
34 Behold that I have not laboured for 
myself only, 
But for all them that diligently seek 
her. 


2.5 In three things I was beautified, 

And stood up beautiful before the 
Lord and men: 

The concord of brethren, and friend- 
ship of neighbours, 

And a woman and her husband that 
walk together in agreement. 

2 But three sorts of men my soul hat- 

eth, 

And I am greatly offended at their 
life : 

A poor man that is haughty, and a 
rich man that is a liar, 

And an old man that is an adulterer 
lacking understanding. 


3 In thy youth thou hast not gathered, 
And how shouldest thou find in thine 
old age? 
4 How beautiful a thing is judgement 
for gray hairs, 
And for elders to know counsel! 


96 














25. 21. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


26. 12. 











5 How beautiful is the wisdom of old 
men, 
And thought and counsel to inen that 
are in honour! 
6 oats experience is the crown of old 


And hole slorying i is the fear of the 
Lord. 


7 There be nine things that I have 
thought of, and in mine heart 
counted happy ; 

And the tenth I will utter with my 
tongue :. 

_ Aman that hath joy of his children; 

A man that liveth and looketh upon 


the fall of his enemies: 
8 Happy is he that dwelleth with a wife 
of understanding ; 
And he that hath not slipped with 
his tongue; 
And he that hath not served a man 
that is unworthy of him: 
9 Happy is he that hath found pru- 
Y dence ; 
And he that discourseth in the ears 
of them that listen. 
10 How great is he that hath found 
wisdom! 


Yet is there none above him that 
feareth the Lord. 
11 The fear of the Lord passeth all 


things : 
He that holdeth it, to whom shall he 
be likened ?* 


13 sig-magead any plague but the plague of 
e he ; 
And any wickedness but the wicked- 
ness of a woman; 
14 Any calamity, but a calamity from 
them that hate me; 
And any vengeance, but the venge- 
ance of enemies. 
15 There is no head above the head of a 
serpent ; 
And there is no wrath above the 
wrath of an enemy. 


161 will rather dwell with a lion anda 
dragon, 
Than keep house with a wicked wo- 


man. 
17 The wickedness of a woman changeth 
her look, 
And darkeneth her countenance as a 
bear doth. 
18 Her husband shall sit at meat among 
his neighbours, 
And when he heareth it he sigheth 
bitterly. 
19 All malice is but little to the malice 
of a woman: 
Let the portion of a sinner fall on her. 
20 As the going up a sandy way is to the 
feet of the aged, 
So is a wife full of words to a quiet 


man. 
21 Throw not thyself upon the beauty of 
a@ woman ; 





And desire not a woman for her 
. beauty. 
22 There is anger, and impudence, and 
great reproach, 
If a woman maintain her husband. 
23 A wicked woman is abasement of 
heart, 
And sadness of countenance, and a 
wounded heart : 
A woman that will not make her hus- 
band happy 
Is as hands that hang down, and 
palsied knees. 
24 From a woman was the beginning of 
sin; 
And because of her we all die. 
25 Give not water an outlet; 
Neither to a wicked woman freedom 
of speech. 
26 If she go not ?as thou wouldest have 


her, 
Cut her off from thy flesh. 


26 Happy is the husband of a good 
wife; 
And the number of his days shall be 
twofold. - 


2A brave woman rejoiceth her hus- be 


band; 
And he shall fulfil his years in peace. 
3 A good wife is a good portion: 
She shall be given in the portion of 
such as fear the Lord. 
4 Whether a man be rich or poor, 
A good heart maketh at all times a 
cheerful countenance. 


5 Of three things my heart was afraid ; 

And concerning the fourth * kind I 
made supplication: 

The slander of a city, and the assem- 
bly of a multitude, and a false ac- 
cusation : 

All these are more grievous than 
death. 

6 A grief of heart and sorrow is a wo- 
man that is jealous of another wo- 


man, 
And the scourge of a tongue commu- 
nicating to all. 
7 A wicked woman is as a yoke of oxen 
shaken to and fro: 
He that taketh hold of her is as one 
that graspeth a scorpion. 
8A drunken woman causeth great 
wrath ; 
And she will not cover her own 
shame. 
9 The whoredom of a woman is in the 
lifting up of her eyes ; 


And it shall be known by her eyelids. 

10 Keep — watch on a headstrong 
daughte 

— she find liberty for herself, and 


e it. 
11 Tite well after an impudent eye; 
And marvel not if it trespass against 
thee. 
12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty 
traveller, 


97 H 

















27. 7. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 





1 Gr. 
weight. 


2 Gr. his. 


3 Verses 
19-27 are 
omitted 
by the 
best au- 
thorities. 





And drink of every water that is near: 

At every post will she sit down, 

And open her quiver against any 
arrow. 


13 The grace of a wife will delight her 
husband ; 
And her knowledge will fatten his 
bones. 
14 A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; 
And there is nothing so much worth 
as a well-instructed soul. 
15 A shamefast woman is grace upon 
grace ; 
And there is no 1 price worthy of a 
continent soul, 
16 As the sun when it ariseth in the 
highest places of the Lord, 
So is the beauty of a good wife in the 
ordering of 2a man’s house. 
17 As the lamp that shineth upon the 
holy candlestick, 
So is the beauty of the face in ripe age. 
18 As the golden pillars are upon a base 
of silver, 
So are beautiful feet with the breasts 
of one that is stedfast.* 


28 For two things my heart is grieved ; 

And for the third anger cometh upon 
me: 

A man of war that suffereth for 
poverty ; 

And men, of understanding that are 
counted as refuse : 

One that turneth back from righteous- 
ness to sin; 

The Lord shall prepare him for the 
sword. 


29.A merchant shall hardly keep him- 
self from wrong doing; 


Anda » huckster shall not be acquitted 


of sin. 
27 Many have sinned for a thing indif- 
ferent ; 
And he that seeketh to multiply gain 
will turn his eye away. 
2A nail will stick fast between the 
joinings of stones; 
And sin will ‘ thrust itself in between 
buying and selling. 
3 Unless a man hold on diligently in 
the fear of the Lord, 
His house shall soon be overthrown. 


4In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse 
remaineth ; 
So the filth of man in his reasoning. 
5 The furnace will prove the potter’s 
vessels ; 
And the trial of a man is in his 
reasoning. 
6 The fruit of atree declareth the hus- 
bandry thereof ; 
So, is the utterance of the thought of 
the heart of a man. 
7 Praise no man before thou hearest 
him reason ; 
For this is the trial of men. 





8 If thou followest righteousness, thou 
shalt obtain her, 
And put her on, as a long robe of 
glory. 
9 Birds will resort unto their like; 
- And truth will return unto them that 
practise her. 
10 The lion lieth in wait for prey; 
So doth sin for them that work ini- 
quity. 


11 The discourse of a godly man is al- 
ways wisdom: 
But the foolish man changeth as the 


moon. 
12 Among men void of understanding 
observe the opportunity ; 
But stay continually among the 
thoughtful. 
13 The discourse of fools is an offence ; 
And their laughter is in the wanton- 
ness of sin. 
14 The talk of a man of many oaths will 
make the hair stand upright; 
And their strife maketh one stop his 


ears. 
15 The strife of the proud is a shedding 
of blood; 
And their reviling of each other is a 
grievous thing to hear. 


16 He that revealeth secrets destroyeth 
credit, 
And shall not find a friend to his 


mind. 
17 Love a friend; and keep faith with 
him: . 
But if thou reveal his secrets, 
Thou shalt not pursue after him; 
18 For as a man hath destroyed his 
enemy, 
So hast thou destroyed the friendship 
of thy neighbour. 
19 And as a bird which thou hast loosed 
out of thy hand, 
So hast thou let thy neighbour £0, and 
thou wilt not catch him again : 
20 Pursue him not, for he is gone far 


away, 
And hath escaped as a gazelle out of 
the snare. 

21 For a wound may be bound up, and 
after reviling there may be a recon- 
cilement ; 

But he that revealeth secrets hath 
lost hope. 


22 One that winketh with the eye con- 
triveth evil things; 
And no man will remove him from it. 
23 When thou art present, he will speak 
sweetly, 
And will admire thy words; 
But afterward he will writhe his 
mouth, 
And set a trap for thee in thy words. 
241 have hated many things, but no- 
thing like him ; 
And the Lord will hate him. 


98 





27. 24. 

















28. 11. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 








~ 


25 One that casteth a stone on high cast- 
eth it on his own head; 
And a deceitful stroke will open 
- wounds. 
26 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; 
And he that setteth a snare shall be 
taken therein. 
27 He that doeth evil things, they shall 
roll upon him, 
And he shall not know whence they 
have come to him. 
28 eer and reproach are from the 


And vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in 
wait for him. 
29 They that rejoice at the fall of the 
godly shall be taken in a snare; 
And anguish shall consume them. be- 
fore they die. 


| 30 Wrath and anger, these also are abom- 


inations ; 
And a sinful man shall possess them. 
28 He that taketh vengeance shall find 
vengeance from the Lord; 
P And he will surely make firm his 


sins. 
2 Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that 
he hath done thee ; 
And then thy sins shall be pardoned 
when thou prayest. 
3 Man cherisheth anger against man; 
And doth he seek healing from the 
Lord? 
4 Upon a man like himself he hath no 


mercy ; 
And doth he make supplication for 
his own sins? 
5 He being himself fiesh nourisheth 
_. wrath: 
Who shall make atonement for his 
sins ? 
6 Remember thy last end, and cease 
from enmity : 
Remember corruption and death, and 
abide in the commandments. 
7 Remember the commandments, and 
be not wroth with thy neighbour ; 
And remember the covenant of the 
Highest, and wink at ignorance. 


8 Abstain from strife, and thou shalt 
diminish thy sins: 
For a passionate man will kindle 


strife ; 
9 Anda man that is a sinner will trou- 


ble friends, 
And will make debate among them 
that be at peace 
10' As is the fuel of the fire, so will it 
burn; 
And as the stoutness of the strife is, 
so Will it burn : 
As is the strength of the man, so will 
be his wrath; 
And as is his wealth, so will he exalt 
his anger. 
1LA ee begun in haste kindleth 
a mre; 





And a hasty fighting sheddeth blood. 
12 If thou blow a spark, it shall burn; 
And if thou spit upon it, it shall be 
quenched: 
And both these shall come out of thy 
mouth. 


13 Curse the whisperer and double- 
tongued : 
For he hath destroyed many that were 
at peace 
14A pong person’s tongue hath shaken 


many, 
And dispersed them from nation to 
nation ; 
And it hath pulled down strong cities, 
And overthrown the houses of great 
men. 
15 A third person’s tongue hath cast out 
brave women, 
And deprived them of their labours. 
16 He that hearkeneth unto it shall not 
find rest, 
Nor shall he dwell quietly. 
17 The stroke of a whip maketh a mark 
in the flesh ; 
But the stroke of a tongue will break 


bones. 
18 Many have fallen by the edge of the 
sword: 
Yet not so many as they that have 
fallen because of the tongue. 
19 Happy is he thatis sheltered from it, 
That hath not passed through the 
wrath thereof; 
That hath not drawn its yoke, 
And hath not been bound with its 
bands. 
20 For the yoke thereof is a yoke of 


mn, 
And the bands thereof are bands of 


brass. 
21 The death thereof is an evil death ; 
And Hades were better than it. 
221t shall not have rule over godly 
men; 
And they shall not be burned in its 


me. 
23 They that forsake the Lord shall fall 
“into it; 
And it shall burn among them, and 
shall not be quenched : 
It shall be sent forth upon them as a 
lion; 
And as a leopard it shall destroy 


them. 
24 Look that thou hedge thy possession 
about with thorns; 
Bind up thy silver and thy gold; 
25 And make a balance and a weight for 
thy words; 
And make a door and a bar for thy 


mouth. 
26 Take heed lest thou slip therein ; 
Lest thou fall before one that lieth in 
wait. 


29 He that sheweth mercy will lend 
unto his neighbour ; 
And he that strengtheneth him with 


99 

















29..'17. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


30. 6. 





1 Gr. the 
Season. 





his hand keepeth the command- 
ments. 
2 Lend to thy neighbour in time of his 


need; 
And pay thou thy neighbour again in 
due season. 
3 Confirm thy word, and keep faith with 


him; 
And at all seasons thou shalt find 
what thou needest. 
4 Many have reckoned a loanas a wind- 
fall, 
And have given trouble to those that 
helped them. 
5 Till he hath received, he will kiss a 
man’s hands ; 
And for his neighbour’s money he will 
speak submissly : 
And when payment is due, he will 
prolong the time, - 
And return words of heaviness, and 
complain of 1 the times. 
6 If he prevail, he shall hardly receive 
the half; 
And he will count it as a windfall: 
Tf not, he hath deprived him of his 
money, 
And he hath gotten him for an enemy 
without cause: 
He will pay him with cursings and 
railings ; 
And for honour he will pay him dis- 
grace. 
72 Many on account of men’s ill-dealing 
have turned away ; 
They have feared to be defrauded for 
nought. 
8 Howbeit with a man in poor estate be 
longsuffering ; 
And let him not wait for thine alms. 
9 Help a poor man for the command- 
ment’s sake; 
And according to his need send him 
not empty away. 
10 Lose thy money for a brother and a 
friend ; 
And let it not rust under the stone to 
be lost. 
11 Bestow thy treasure according to the 
commandments of the Most High ; 
And it shall profit thee more than gold. 
12 Shut up alms in thy store-chambers; 
And it shall deliver thee out of all 


affliction : 
13 It shall fight for thee against thine 
enemy 
Better Hida a mighty shield and a 
ponderous spear. 


14 A good man will be surety for his 
neighbour ; 
And he that hath lost shame will fail 
hi 


im. 

15 Forget not the good offices of thy 
surety ; 

For he hath given his life for thee. 

16A sinner will overthrow the good 
estate of his surety; 

17 And he that is of an unthankful mind 
will fail him that delivered him. 





18 Suretiship hath undone many that 
were prospering, 
ap shaken them as a wave of the 


Mighty men hath it driven from their 
homes ; 
And they wandered among strange 
nations. 
19 A sinner that falleth into suretiship, 
And undertaketh contracts for work, 
shall fall into lawsuits. 
20 Help thy neighbour according to thy 
power, 
And take heed to thyself that thou 
fall not to the same. 


21 The chief thing for life is water, and 
bread, 
And a garment, and a house to cover 


shame. 
22 Better is the life of a poor man under 
a shelter of logs, 
Than sumptuous fare in another 
man’s house. 
23 With little or with much, be well 
satisfied.§ 
24 It is a miserable life to go from house 
to house: 
And where thou art a sojourner, thou 
shalt not dare to open thy mouth. 


25 Thou shalt entertain, and give to | 


drink, and have no thanks: 
And besides this thou shalt hear bit- 
ter words. 


26 Come hither, thou sojourner, furnish | 


a table, 
And if thou hast aught in thy hand, 
feed me with it. 
27 Go forth, thou sojourner, from the 
face of honour; 
My brother is come to be my guest; I 
have need of my house. 
28 These things are grievous to a man of 
understanding ; 
The upbraiding of house-room, and 
the reproaching of the money- 
lender. 


80 He that loveth his son will continue 
to lay stripes upon him, 
That he may have joy of him in the 
end. 
2 He that chastiseth his son shall have 
profit of him, 
And shall glory of him among his 
acquaintance. 
3 He that teacheth his son shall pro- 
voke his enemy to jealousy ; 
And before friends he shall rejoice of 


him. 
4 His father dieth, and is as though he 
had not died ; 
For he hath left one behind him like 
himself. 

5 Inhis life, he saw and rejoiced in him; 
And when he died, he sorrowed not: 
6 He left behind him an avenger against 

his enemies, 
And one to requite kindness to his 
friends. 


100 














7 





30. 24. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


31. 17. 











7 He that maketh too much of his son 


shall bind up his wounds; 
. And his heart will be troubled at 
every cry. 


8 An unbroken horse becometh stub- 


born; 
And ason left at large becometh head- 
strong. 
9 Cocker thy child, and he shall make 
thee afraid : 
Play with him, and he will grieve thee. 
10 Laugh not with him, lest thou have 
sorrow with him ; 
And thou shalt gnash thy teeth in the 
end. 
11 Give him no liberty in his youth, 
21 And wink not at his follies. ~ 
121 Bow down his neck in his youth, 
_ And beat him on the sides while he is 
--a ehild, 
Lest he wax stubborn, and be dis- 
obedient unto thee; 
1And there shall be sorrow to thy 


soul. 
13 Chastise thy son, and take pains with 
him 


Lest his shameless behaviour be an 
» offence unto thee. 


14 Better is a poor man, being sound and 


strong of constitution, 
Than a rich man that is plagued in 
his body. 
15 Health and a good constitution are 
better than all gold; 
And a strong body than wealth with- 
out measure. 
16 There is no riches better than health 
of body; 
And there is no gladness above the 
joy of the heart. 


17 Death is better than a bitter life, 
? And * eternal rest than a continual 
sickness. 
18 Good things poured out upona mouth 
that is closed 
Are as messes of meat laid upon a 


grave. 
19 What doth an offering profit an idol? 
For neither shall it eat nor smell: 
So is he that is afflicted of the Lord, 
20 Seeing with his eyes and groaning, 
As an eunuch embracing a virgin and 
groaning. 


21 Give not over thy soul to sorrow; 
And afflict not thyself in thine own 
counsel. 
22 Gladness of heart is the life of a man; 
And the joyfulness of a man is length 
of days. 
23 Love thine own soul, and comfort thy 
heart: 
And remove sorrow far from thee; 
For sorrow hath destroyed many, 
And there is no profit therein. 
24 Envy and wrath shorten a man’s 
days ; 
—o care bringeth old age before the 
e. 





25 Avcheeviul and good heart» 
Will Lave a care of Lis meat and diet. 
31 Waketulness that cometh ‘of riches 
consumeth the flesh, 
And the anxiety thereof putteth away 
sleep. 
2 Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber; 
And ‘ina sore disease sleep will be 
broken. 


3 Arich man toileth in gathering money | 7 


together 
And when he resteth, he is filled with 
his good things. 
4A poor mats toileth in lack of sub- 
stance 
spe ive he resteth, he becometh 


eedy. 
5 He that loveth gold shall not be justi- 
fied; 
And he that followeth destruction 
shall himself have his fill of it. 
6 Many have been given over to ruin 
for the sake of gold; 
And their perdition *meeteth them 
face to face. 
7 It is astumblingblock unto them that 
sacrifice unto it; 
And every fool shall be taken there- 
with. 


8 Blessed is the rich that is found with- 
out blemish, 
And that goeth not after gold. 
9 Who is he? and we will call him 
blessed: 
For wonderful things hath he done 
among his people. 
10 Who hath been tried thereby, and 
found perfect ? 
Then let him glory. 
Who hath had the power to trans- 
gress, and hath not transgressed ? 
And to do evil, and hath not done it? 
11 His goods shall be made sure, 
And the congregation shall declare 
his alms. 
12 Sittest thou at a great table? * be not 
greedy upon it, 
And say not, Many are the things 
upon it. 
13 Remember that anevil eye is a wicked 
thing: 
What hath been created more evil 
than an eye? 
Therefore it sheddeth tears from 
every face. 
14 Stretch not thine hand whithersoever 
it looketh, 
And thrust not thyself with it into 
the dish. 
15 Consider thy neighbour’s liking by 
thine own; 
And be discreet in every point. 
16 Eat, as becometh a man, those things 
which are set before thee ; 
And eat not greedily, lest thou: be 


hated. 
17 Be first to leave off for manners’ 
sake ; 
And be not insatiable, lest thou offend. 


101 














32. 2. 


OCLESIASTICUS. 











18 And if shou sittesG anleng many: ‘ 


Reach not out thy hand befcre then. , 


19 How sufficient to a well-mannered 
man is a very little, 
And he doth not breathe hard upon 
his bed. 
20 Healthy sleep cometh of moderate 
eating ; 
He riseth early, and his wits are with 
him : 


im: 
The pain of wakefulness, and colic, 
And griping, are with an insatiable 


man. 
21 And if thou hast been forced to eat, 
Rise up inthe midst thereof, and thou 
shalt have rest. 
22 Hear me, my son, and despise me not, 
And at the last thou shalt find my 
words true: 
In all thy works be quick, 
And no disease shall come unto thee. 


23 Him that is liberal of his meat the 
lips shall bless; 
And the testimony of his excellence 
shall be believed. 
24 Him that is a niggard of his meat the 
city shall murmur at; 
And the testimony of his niggardness 
shall be sure. 


25 Shew not thyself valiant in wine; 
For wine hath destroyed many. 
26 The furnace proveth the temper of 
steel by dipping ; 
So doth wine prove hearts in the quar- 
relling of the proud. 
27 Wine is as good as life to men, 
Tf thou drink it in its measure: 
What life is there to a man that is 
without wine ? 
And it hath been created to make 
men glad. 
28 Wine drunk in season and to satisfy 
Is joy of heart, and gladness of soul: 
29 Wine drunk largely is bitterness of 
soul, 
With provocation and conflict. 
30 Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a 
fool unto his hurt; 
It diminisheth strength, and addeth 
wounds. 


31 Rebuke not thy neighbour at a ban- 
quet of wine, 
Neither set him at nought in his 
mirth: 
Speak not unto him a word of re- 
proach, 
And press not upon him by asking 
back a debt. 
32 Have they made thee ruler of a 
feast? 
Be not lifted up, 
Be thou among them as one of them ; 
Take thought for them, and so sit 
down. 
2 And when thou hast done all thy 
office, take thy place, 





“That thou mayest be gladdened on 
their account, 

And receive a crown for thy well or- 
dering. 


3 Speak, thou that art the elder, for it 
becometh thee, bvé with sound 
knowledge; 

And hinder not music. 
4Pour not out talk where there is a 
_ performance of music, 
And display not thy wisdom out of 
season. 

5 As a signet of carbunclein a setting 
of gold, 

So is a concert of music in a banquet 
of wine. 

6 Asa signet of emerald in a work of 
gold, 

So is a strain of music with pleasant 
wine. 


7 Speak, young man, if there be need of 
thee ; 
Yet scarcely if thou be twice asked. 
8Sum up thy speech, many things in 
few words; 
Be as one that knoweth and yet hold- 
eth his tongue. 
9 If thou be among great men, behave 
not as their equal; 
And when another is speaking, make 
not much babbling. 
10 Before thunder speedeth lightning ; 
And before a shamefast man favour 
shall go forth. 
11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; 
Get thee home quickly and loiter 


not: 
12 There take thy pastime, and do what 
is in thy heart; 
And sin not by proud speech: 
13 And for these things bless him that 
made thee, 
And giveth thee to drink freely of his 
good things. 


14 He that feareth the Lord will receive 


his discipline ; 
And they that seek him early shall 
find favour. 
15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled 
therewith : 
But the hypocrite shall stumble 
thereat. 
16 They that fear the Lord shall find 
judgement, 
And shall kindle rightedus acts as a 
light. * 


17 A sinful man shunneth reproof, 
And will find a judgement according 
to his will. 


18 A man of counsel will not neglect a 
thought; 
A strange and proud man will not 
crouch in fear, 
Even after he hath done a thing by 
himself without counsel. 
19 Do nothing without counsel; 


102 





32. 19. 














33. 14. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 





33. 31. 





thorities. 





' And when thou hast once done, re- 
pent not. 
20 Go not in a way of conflict ; 
And stumble not in stony places. 
21 Be not confident in a ‘smooth way. 
22 And beware of thine own children. 
23 In every work trust thine own soul ; 
For this is the keeping of the com- 
mandments. 


24 He that believeth the law giveth heed 
to the commandment ; 
- And he that trusteth in the Lord shall 
suffer no loss. 
88 There shall no evil happen unto him 
that feareth the Lord; 
But in temptation once and again will 
he deliver him. 
2 A wise man will not‘hate the law; 
“But he that is a hypocrite therein is 
as a ship in a storm. 
3 Aman of understanding will put his 
trust in the law ;. 
And the law is faithful unto him, as 
when one asketh at the oracle. 


4 Prepare thy speech, and so shalt thou 
- be heard; 


Bind up instruction, and make thine 
answer. 

5 The heart of a foolis as a cartwheel ; 

And his thoughts like a rolling axle- 


tree. 
6A stallion horse is as a mocking 
friend ; 
He neigheth under every one that 
sitteth upon him. 


7 Why doth one day excel another, 
When all the light of every day in the 
year is of the sun? 
8 By the knowledge of the Lord they 
were distinguished ; 
And he varied seasons and feasts: 
9Some of them he exalted and hal- 
lowed, 
And some of them hath he made ordi- 
nary days. 
10 And all men are from the ground, 
And Adam was created of earth. 
11In the abundance of his knowledge 
the Lord distinguished them, 
And made their ways various : 
12 Some of them he blessed and exalted, 
And some of them he hallowed and 
brought nigh to himself: 
gene of them he cursed and brought 
ow, 
And overthrew them from their place. 
15 As the clay of the potter in his hand, 
All his ways are according to his good 
pleasure ; 
So men are in the hand of him that 
made them, 
To render unto them according to his 
judgement. 
14 Good is set over against evil, 
And life over against death: 
So is *the sinner over against the 
godly. 





15 And thus look upon all the works of 
the Most High; 
Two and two, one against anothér. 


16 And I awaked up last, 
As one that gleaneth after the grape- 
gatherers: 
By the blessing of the Lord I got 
before them, 
And filled my winepress as one that 
gathereth grapes. 
17 Consider that I laboured not for my- 
self alone, 
But for all them that seek instruc- 


tion. 
18 Hear me, ye great men of the peo- 


ple, 
And hearken with your ears, ye rulers 
of the congregation. 


19To son and wife, to brother and 
friend, 
Give not power over thee while thou 
livest ; 
And give not thy goods to another, 
Lest thou repent and make supplica- 
tion for them again. 
20 Whilst thou yet livest, and breath is 
in thee, , 
Give not thyself over to anybody. 
21 For better it is that thy children 
should supplicate thee, 
Than that thou shouldest. look to the 
hand of thy sons. 
221In all thy works keep the upper 
hand; 
Bring not a stain on thine hononr. 
23 In the day that thou ondest the days 
of thy life, 
And in the time of death, distribute 
thine inheritance. 


24 Fodder, a stick, and burdens, for an 


ass ; 
Bread, and discipline, and work, for a 
servant. 
25 Set thy servant to work, and thou 
shalt find rest : 
Leave his hands idle, and he will seek 
liberty. 
26 Yoke and thong will bow the neck: 
And for an evil servant there are 
racks and tortures. 
27 Send him to labour, that he be not 
idle ; 
For idleness teacheth much mischief. 
28 Set him to work, as is fit for him; 
And if he obey not, make his fetters 
heavy. 
29 And be not excessive toward any ; 
And without judgement do nothing. 


30 If thou hast a servant, let him be as 
thyself, 
Because thou hast bought him with 
blood. 
311f thou hast a servant, treat him as 
thyself ; 
3 For as thine owt: soul wilt thou have 
need of 


103 





corrupt. 











34. 17. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 











If thou ‘treat him ill, and he depart 
and run away, 
Which way wilt thou go to seek him? 


834 Vain and false hopes are for a man 
void of understanding ; . 
And dreams give wings to fools. 
2 As one that catcheth at a shadow, 
and followeth after the wind, 
So. is he that setteth his mind on 
dreams. 
3 The vision of dreams is as this thing 
against that, 
The likeness of a face over against a 


face. 
4Of an unclean thing what shall be 
cleansed ? 
And of that which is false what shall 
be true? 
5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and 
dreams, are vain: 
And the heart fancieth, as a woman’s 
in travail. 
6If they be not sent from the Most 
High in thy visitation, 
Give not thy heart unto them. ) 
7 For dreams have led many astray : 
And they have failed by putting their 
hope in them. 
8 Without lying shall. the law be ac- 
complished ; 
And wisdom is perfection to a faithful 
mouth. 


9 A well-instructed man knoweth many 
things; 
And he that hath much experience 
will declare understanding. 
10 He that hath no experience knoweth 
few things: 
But he that hath wandered shall in- 
crease his skill. 
11 In my wandering I have seen many 
things ; 
And more than my words is my un- 
derstanding. 
12 Ofttimes was I in danger even unto 
death ; 
And I was preserved because of these 


things. 
13 The spirit of those that fear the Lord 
shall live ; 
For their hope is upon him that saveth 
th 


em. 
14 Whoso feareth the Lord shall not be 
afraid,and shall notplay the coward; 
For he is his hope. 
15 Blessed is the soul of him that, fear- 
eth the Lord: 
To whom doth he give heed ? and who 
is his stay? 
16 The eyes of the Lord are upon them 
that love him, 
A mighty protection and strong stay, 
A cover from the hot blast, and a 
cover from the noonday, 
A guard from stumbling, and a suc- 
cour from falling. 
17 He raiseth up the soul, and enlighten- 
eth the eyes: 





He giveth healing, life, and bless- 
ng. 


18 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrong- 
fully gotten, his offering is made in 
mockery ; 

And the mockeries of wicked men are 
not well-pleasing. 

19 The Most High hath no pleasure in 
the offerings of the ungodly ; 

Neither is he pacified for sins by the 
multitude of sacrifices. 

20 As one that killeth the son before his 
father’s eyes 

Is he that bringeth a sacrifice from 
the goods of the poor. 

21 The bread of the needy is the life of 
the poor: 

He that depriveth him thereof is a 
man of blood. 

22 As one that slayeth his neighbour is 
he that taketh away his living; 

And as a shedder of blood is he that 
depriveth a hireling of his hire. 

23 One building, and another pulling 


down, 
What profit have they had but toil? 
24 One praying, and another cursing, 
Whose voice will the Lord listen to ? 
25 He that washeth himself after touch- 
ing a dead body, and toucheth it 


again, 
What profit hath he in his washing ? 
26 Even so a man fasting for his sins, 
And going again, and doing the same; 
Who will listen to his prayer? 
And what profit hath he in his humi- 
liation ? 


85 He that keepeth the law multiplieth 
offerings ; 
He that taketh heed to the command- 
ments sacrificeth a peace offering. 
2 He that requiteth a good turn offer- 
eth fine flour ; 
And he that giveth alms sacrificeth 
a thank offering. 
3 To depart from wickedness is a thing 
pleasing to the Lord; 
And to depart from unrighteousness 
is a propitiation. 
4 See that thou appear not in the pre- 
sence of the Lord empty. 
5 For all these things are to be done 
because of the commandment. 
6 The offering of the righteous maketh 
the altar fat; 
And the sweet savour thereof is be- 
fore the Most High. 
7 The sacrifice of a righteous man is 
acceptable ; 
And the memorial thereof shall not 
be forgotten. 
8 Glorify the Lord with a good eye, 
And stint not the firstfruits of thine 
hands. 
9 In every gift shew a cheerful counte- 
nance, 
And dedicate thy tithe with glad- 
ness. 


104 





35. 9. 














ECCLESIASTICUS. 


36. 22. 





1 Gr. 7f. 








10 Give unto the Most High according 
as he hath given ; 
And as thy hand hath found, give 
with a good eye. 
11 For the Lord recompenseth, 
And he will recompense thee seven- 
fold. 


12 Think not to corrupt with gifts; for 
he will not receive them: 
And set not thy mind on an unright- 
eous sacrifice ; 
For the Lord is judge, 
And with him is no respect of per- 


sons. 

13 He will not ne any person against 
@ poor ma 

And he will, listen to the prayer of 
him that is wronged. 

14 He will in no wise despise the suppli- 
cation of the fatherless ; 

Nor the widow, when she poureth 
out her tale. 

15 Do not the tears of the widow run 
down her cheek? 

And is not her ery against him that 
hath caused them to fall? 

16 He that serveth God according to his 
good pleasure shall be accepted, 

And his supplication shall reach un- 
to the clouds. 

17 The prayer of the humble pierceth 
the clouds ; 

And till it come nigh, he will not be 
comforted ; 

And he will not depart, till the Most 
High shall visit; 

And he shall judge ? righteously, and 
execute judgement. 

18 And the Lord will not be slack, nei- 
ther will he be longsuffering toward 
them, 

Till he have crushed the loins of the 
unmerciful ; 

And he shall repay vengeance to the 
heathen ; 

Till he have taken away the multitude 
of the haughty, 

And broken in pieces the sceptres of 
the unrighteous ; 

19 Till he have rendered to every man 
according to his doings, 

And éo the works of men according 
to their devices; 

Till he have judged the7cause of his 
people; 

And he shall make them to rejoice in 
his mercy. 

20 Mercy is seasonable in the time of his 
afflicting them, 

As clouds of rain in the time of 
drought. 


86 Have merey upon us, O Lord the 
God of all, and behold; 
2 And send thy fear upon all the na- 
tions :3 
3 Lift up thy hand against the strange 
nations ; 
And let them see thy mighty power. 


105 





4 As thou wast sanctified in us before 
them, 
So be thou magnified inthem before us. 
5 And let them know thee, as we also 
have known thee, 
That there is no God but only thou, 
O God. 
6Shew new signs, and work divers 
wonders ; 
Glorify thy hand and thy right arm.* 
7 Raise up indignation, and pour out 
wrath; 
Take away the adversary, and destroy 
the enemy. 
8 Hasten the time, and remember the 


oath ; 
And let them declare thy mighty 
works. 
9 Let him that escapeth be devoured 
by the rage of fire ; 
And may they that harm thy people 
find destruction. 
10 Crush the heads of the rulers of the 
enemies, 
That say, There is none but we. 
11 Gather all the tribes of Jacob to- 
gether, 
And * take them for thine inheritance, 
as from the beginning. 
12 0 Lord, have mercy upon the people 
that is called by thy name, 
And upon Israel, whom thou didst 
liken unto a firstborn. 
13 Have compassion upon the city of thy 
sanctuary, 
Jerusalem, the place of thy rest. 
14 Fill Sion ; exalt thine oracles, 
And fill thy people with thy glory. 
15 Give testimony unto those that were 
thy creatures in the beginning, 
And raise up the prophecies that have 
been in thy name. 
16 Give reward unto them that wait for 


thee : 

And men shall put their trust in thy 
prophets. 

17 Hearken, O Lord, to the prayer of thy 

suppliants, 

According to the blessing of Aaron 
concerning thy people; 

And all they that are on the earth 
shall know 

That ee art the Lord, the *eternal 
Go 


18 The belly will eat any meat; 
Yet is one meat better than another. 
19 The * mouth tasteth meats taken in 
hunting: 
So doth an understanding heart false 
speeches. 
20 A froward heart will cause heaviness: 
And a man of experience will recom- 
pense him. 
21 A woman willreceive any man; 
But one daughter is better than an- 
other. 
22 The beauty of a woman cheereth the 
countenance ; 
And a man desireth nothing so much. 
He 














ECCLESIASTICUS. 











23 If there is on her tongue mercy and 
meekness, 
Her husband is not like the sons of 
men. 
24 He that getteth a wife entereth upon 
a possession ; 
A help meet for him, and a pillar of 
rest. 
25 Where no hedge is, the possession will 
be laid waste: 
And he that hath no wife will mourn 
as he wandereth up and down. 
26 For who will trust a nimble robber, 
that skippeth from city to city? 
Even so who shall trust aman that 
hath no nest, and lodgeth whereso- 
ever he findeth himself at night- 
fall? 


877 Every friend will say, I also am his 
friend : 
But there is a friend, which is only a 
friend in name. 

21s there not a grief in it even unto 
death, 

When a companion and friend is 
turned to enmity ? 

3 O wicked imagination, whence camest 
thou rolling in 

To cover the dry land with deceitful- 
ness ? 

4 There is a companion, which rejoiceth 
in the gladness of a friend, 

But in time of affliction will be against 
him. 

5 There is a companion, which for the 
belly’s sake laboureth with his 
friend, 

In the face of battle will take up the 
buckler. 

6 Forget not a friend in thy soul; 

And be not unmindful of him in thy 
riches. 


7 Every counsellor extolleth counsel; 
But there is that counselleth for him- 
self. 
8 Let thy soul beware of a counsellor, 
And know thou before what is his 
interest 
(For he will take counsel for himself) ; 
Lest he cast the lot upon thee, 
9 And say unto thee, Thy way is good: 
And he will stand over against thee, 
to see what shall befall thee. 
10 Take not counsel with one that look- 
eth askance at thee ; 
And hide thy counsel from such as are 
jealous of thee. 
11 Take not counsel with a woman about 
her rival; 
Neither with a coward about war; 
Nor with a merchant about exchange; 
Nor with a buyer about selling ; 
Nor with an envious man about thank- 
fulness ; 
Nor with an unmerciful man about 
kindliness ; 
Nor with a sluggard about any kind 
of work ; 





Nor with a hireling in thy house about 
finishing his work; 
Nor with an idle servant about much 
business : 
Give not heed to these in any matter 
of counsel. 
12 But rather be continually with a godly 
man, 
Whom thou shalt have known to be a 
keeper of the commandments, 
Who in his soul is as thine own soul, 
And who will grieve with thee, if thou 
shalt miscarry. 
13 And make the counsel of thy heart to 
stand; 
For there is none more faithful unto 
thee than it. 
14 Fora man’s soul is sometime wont 
to bring him tidings, 
More than seven watchmen that sit 
on high on a watch-tower. 
15 And above all this intreat the Most 
High, 
That he may direct thy way in truth. 


16 Let reason be the beginning of every 
work, 
And let counsel go before every action. 
17 Asatoken of the changing of the heart, 
18 four manner of things do rise up, 
Good and evil, life and death ; 
And that which ruleth over them con- 
tinually is the tongue. 
19 There is one that is shrewd and the 
instructor of many, 
And yet is unprofitable to his own 
soul. 
20 There is one that is subtilin words, 
and is hated; 
He shall be destitute of all food: 
21 For grace was not given him from the 
Lord; 
Because he is deprived of all wisdom. 
22 There is one that is wise to his own 
soul; 
And the fruits of his understanding 
are trustworthy in the mouth. 
23 A wise man will instruct his own 
people ; 
And the fruits of his understanding 
are trustworthy. 
24 A wise man shall be filled with bless- 


Ing; 
And all they that see him shall call 
him happy. 
25 The life of man is numbered by days; 
And the days of Israel are innumera- 
ble. 
26 The wise man shall inherit confidence 
among his people, 
And his name shall live for ever. 


27 My son, prove thy soul in thy life, 
And see what is evil for it, and give 
not that unto it. 
28 For all things are not profitable for 
all men, 
Neither hath every soul pleasure in 
every thing. 
29 Be not insatiable in any luxury, 


106 





37. 29. 

















ECCLESIASTICUS. 38. 28. 





2 Or, he 





And be not greedy on the things that 
thou eatest. 
30 For in multitude of meats there shall 
be disease, 
And surfeiting shall come nigh unto 


colic. . 
31 Because of surfeiting have many 
perished ; 
But he that taketh heed shall prolong 
his life. 


88 Honour a physician according to thy 
need of him with the honours due 
unto him: 

For verily the Lord hath created him. 
2 For from the Most High cometh heal- 


ing; 
And from the king he shall receive a 


3 The skill of the physician shall lift up 
his head ; 
And in the sight of great men he shall 
be admired. 
4The Lord created medicines out of 
the earth ; 
_ And a prudent man will have no dis- 
gust at them. 
5 Was not water made sweet with wood, 
That the virtue thereof might be 
known? 
6 And he gave men skill, 
That 1they might be glorified in his 
marvellous works. 
7 With them doth he heal a man, 
And taketh away his pain. - 
8 With these will the apothecary make 
a confection; 
And his works shall not be brought 
to an end; 
And from him is peace upon the face 
of the earth. 


9 My son, in thy sickness be not negli- 


gent; 
But pray unto the Lord, and he shall 
heal thee. 
10 Put away wrong doing, and order 
thine hands arigh 
And cleanse thy heart from all man- 
ner of sin. 
11 Give a sweet savour, and a memorial 
of fine flour ; 
And make fat thine offering, as one 
that is not. 
12 Then give place to the physician, for 
verily the Lord hath created him ; 
And let him not go from thee, for thou 
hast need of him. 
13 There is a time when in their very 
hands is the issue for good. 
14 For they also shall beseech the Lord, 
That he may prosper them in giving 
relief and in healing for the main- 
tenance of life. 
15 He that sinneth before his Maker, 
Let him fall into the hands of the 
physician. 


16 My son, let thy tears fall over the 
dead, 





And as one that suffereth grievously 
begin lamentation ; 

And wind up his body according to 
his due, 

And neglect not his burial. 

17 Make bitter weeping, and make pas- 

sionate wailing, 

And let thy mourning be according to 
his desert, 

For one day or two, lest thou be evil 
spoken of: 

And so be comforted for thy sorrow. 

18 For of sorrow cometh death, 

And sorrow of heart will bow down 
the strength. 

19 In calamity sorrow also remaineth : 
And the poor man’s life is ? grievous | 2 Gr. 

to the heart. oo 

20 Give not thy heart unto sorrow: heart. 
Put bi away, remembering the last 

end: 

21 Forget it not, for there is no returning 

again : 
Him thou shalt not profit,and thou 
wilt hurt thyself. 

22 Remember the sentence upon him; 
* for so also shall thine be; 
Yesterday for me, and to-day for thee. 

23 When the dead is at rest, let his 

remembrance rest; 
And be comforted for him, when his 
spirit departeth from him. 


24 The wisdom of the scribe cometh by 
opportunity of leisure ; 
And * he that hath little business shall | 3 Gr. he 





become wise. ——, 
25 How shall he become wise that hold- | in his 
eth the plough, business. 
That glorieth in the shaft of the 
goad, 
That driveth oxen, and is occupied in 
their labours, 
And whose discourse is of the stock 
of bulls? 
26 He will set his heart upon turning his 
furrows; 


And his wakefulness is to give his 

heifers their fodder. 
27 So is every artificer and workmaster, 

That passeth his time by night as by 
day ; 

They that cut gravings of signets, 

And his diligence is to make great 
variety ; 

He will set his heart to preserve like- 
ness in his portraiture, 

And will be wakeful to finish his work. 

28 So is the smith sitting by the anvil, 

And considering the unwrought iron : 

The vapour of the fire will waste his 
fiesh ; 

And in the heat of the furnace will he 
wrestle with his work: 

The noise of the hammer will ¢ be ever | * Gr. 
in his ear, rr 

And his eyes are upon the pattern of 
the vessel ; 

He will set his heart upon perfecting 
his works, 





107 




















ECCLESIASTICUS. 39. 20. 

And he will be wakeful to adorn them / 

perfectly. 6 If the great Lord will, 

29 So is the potter sitting at his work, He shall be filled with the spirit of 

And turning the wheel about with his understanding: 

feet, He shall pour forth the words of his 
Who is alway anxiously set at his wisdom, 

work, 


And all his handywork is by number ; 
30 He will fashion the clay with his 


arm, 

And will bend its strength in front of 
his feet ; 

He will apply his heart to finish the 
glazing; 

And he will be wakeful to make clean 
the furnace. 


31 All these put their trust in their 
hands ; 
And each becometh wise in his own 


work. 
32 Without these shall not a city be in- 
habited, 
And men shall not sojourn nor walk 
up and down therein. 
33 1They shall not be sought for in the 
council of the people, 
And in the assembly they shall not 
mount on high ; 
They shall not sit on the seat of the 
judge, 
And they shall not understand the 
covenant of judgement: 
Neither shall they declare instruction 
and judgement; 
And where parables are they shall 
not be found. 
34 But they will maintain the fabric of 
the ? world ; 
And in the handywork of their craft 
is their prayer. 


89:Not so he that hath applied his 


soul, 
And meditateth in the law of the 
Most High ; 
He will seek out the wisdom of all 
the ancients, 
And will be oceupied in prophecies. 
2 He will keep the discourse of the men 
of renown, 
And will enter in amidst the subtilties 
of parables. 
3 He will seek out the hidden meaning 
of proverbs, 
And be conversant in the dark say- 
ings of parables. 
4 He will serve among great men, 
And appear before him that ruleth: 
He will travel through the land of 
strange nations ; 
For he hath tried good things and 
evil among men. 
5 He will apply his heart to resort early 
to the Lord that made him, 
And will make supplication before 
the Most High, 
And will open his mouth in prayer, 
And will make supplication for his 
sins. 





ie oy prayer give thanks unto the 


7 He shall direct his counsel and know- 
ledge, 
And in his secrets shall he meditate. 
8 He shall shew forth the instruction 
which he hath been taught, 
And shall glory in the law of the cove- 
nant of the Lord. 
9 Many shall commend his understand- 
ing ; 
And so long as the world endureth, it 
shall not be blotted out: 
His memorial shall not depart, 
And his name shall live from genera- 
tion to generation. 
10 Nations shall declare his wisdom, 
And the congregation shall tell out 
his praise. 
11 If he continue, he shall leave a greater 
name than a thousand: 
And if he ¢ die, he addeth thereto. 


12 Yet more will I utter, which I have 
thought upon; 
And I am filled as the moon at the 
full. 
13 Hearken unto me, ye holy children, 
And bud forth as a rose growing by a 
brook of water: 
14 And give ye a sweet savour as frank- 
incense, 
And put forth flowers as a lily, 
Spread abroad a sweet smell, and 
sing a song of praise; 
Bless ye the Lord for all his works. 
15 Magnify his name, 
And give utterance to his praise 
With the songs of your lips, and with 
harps; 
And thus shall ye say when ye utter 
his praise: 


16 All the works of the Lord are exceed- 
ing good, 
And every command shall be accom- 
plished in his season. 
17 None can say, What is this? where- 
fore is that? 
For in his season they shall all be 
sought out. 
At his word the waters stood as a 
heap, 
And the receptacles of waters at the 
word of his mouth. 
18 At his command is all his good plea- 
sure done; 
And there is none that shall hinder 
his salvation. 
19 The works of all flesh are before him ; 
And it is not possible to be hid from 


his eyes. 
20 He beholdeth from everlasting to 
everlasting ; 


108 





4 Gr. 











40. 1. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


40. 16. 











And there is nothing wonderful be- 


fore him. 
21 None can say, What is this? where- 
fore is that? 
For all things are created for their 
uses. 
_| 22 His blessing covered the dry land as 
a river, 
And saturated it as a flood. 
23 As he hath turned the waters into 
saltness ; 


So shall the heathen inherit his wrath. 
24 His ways are plain unto the holy; 
So are they stumblingblocks unto the 
wicked. 
25 Good things are created from the be- 
ginning for the good; 
So are evil things for sinners. 
26 The chief of all things necessary for 
the life of man 
Are water, and fire, and iron, and 
sal 


t, 
And flour of wheat, and honey, and 


milk, 
The blood of the grape, and oil, and 
elothing. ~ 
27 All these things are for good to the 
godly ; 
So to the sinners they shall be turned 
into evil. 


28 There be winds that are created for 
vengeance, 
And in their fury lay on their scourges 
heavily ; 
In the time of consummation they 
pour out their strength, 
And shall appease the wrath of him 
that made them. 
29 Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, 
All these are created for vengeance ; 
30 Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions 
and adders, 
And a sword punishing the ungodly 
unto destruction. 
31 They shall rejoice in his command- 
ment, 
And shall be made ready upon earth, 
when need is; 
And in their seasons they shall not 
transgress his word. 


32 Therefore from the beginning I was 
resolved, 
And I thought this, and left it in 


writing ; 
33 All the works of the Lord are good: 
And he will supply every need in its 
season. 
34 a red can say, This is worse than 


For they shall all be well approved in 
their season. 
35 And now with all your heart and 
mouth sing ye praises, 
And bless the name of the Lord. 


40 Great travail is created for every 
man, 





And a heavy yoke is upon the sons of 
A 


From the day of their coming forth 
from their mother’s womb, 
Until the day for their burial in the 
mother of all things. 
2 The expectation of things to come, 
and the day of death, 
1 Trouble their thoughts, and cause 
fear of heart; 
3 From him that sitteth on a throne of 
glory, 
Even unto him that is humbled in 
earth and ashes ; 
4 From him that weareth purple and 
a crown, 
Even unto him that is clothed with a 
hempen frock. 
5 There is wrath, and jealousy, and 
trouble, and disquiet, 
And fear of death, and anger, and 
strife ; 
And in the time of rest upon his bed 
His night sleep doth change his 
knowledge. 
6 A little or nothing is his resting, 
And afterward in his sleep, as in a 
day of keeping watch, 
He is troubled in the vision of his 
heart, 
As one that hath escaped from the 
front of battle. 
7 In the very time of his deliverance he 
awaketh, 
And marvelleth that the fear is 
nought. 


8 It is thus with all flesh, from man to 
beast, : 


And upon sinners sevenfold more. 
9 Death, and bloodshed, and strife, and 
sword, 
Calamities, famine, tribulation, and 
the scourge ; 
10 All these things were created for the 
wicked, 
And because of them came the flood. 
11 All things that are of the earth turn 
to the earth again: 
And all things that are of the waters 
return into the sea. 


12 All bribery and injustice shall be 
blotted out ; 
And good faith shall stand for ever. 
13 The goods of the unjust shall be dried 
up like a river, 
And like a great thunder in rain shall 
go off in noise. 
14 In opening his hands a man shall be 
made glad: 
So shall transgressors utterly fail. 
15 The children of the ungodly shall not 
put forth many branches; 
And are as unclean roots upon a sheer 


rock. , 
16 The sedge that groweth upon every 


water and bank of a river 
Shall be plucked up before all 
grass. 


109 




















ECCLESIASTICUS. 


Al. 18. 





2 Gr. 
him. 





17 Bounty is as a garden 1 of blessings, 
And almsgiving endureth for ever. 


18 The life of one that laboureth, and is 
contented, shall be made sweet; 
And he that findeth a treasure is 
above both. . 
19 Children and the building of a city 
establish a man’s name ; 
Anda blameless wife is counted above 
both. 
20 Wine and music rejoice the heart; 
And the love of wisdom is above 
both. 
21 The pipe and the psaitery make 
pleasant melody ; 
And a pleasant tongue is above both. 
22 Thine eye shall desire grace and 
beauty ; 
And above both the green blade of 
corn. 
23 A friend and a companion never meet 


amiss; 
And a wife with her husbandis above 
both. 
24 Brethren and succour are for a time 
of affliction ; 
And almsgiving is a deliverer above 
both. 
25 Gold and silver will make the foot 
stand sure; 
And counsel is esteemed above them 
both. 
26 Riches and strength will lift up the 
heart; 
And the fear of the Lord is above both: 
There is nothing wanting in the fear 
of the Lord, 
And there is no need to seek help 
therein. 
27 The fear of the Lord is asa garden 
of blessing, 
And covereth ?a man above all glory. 


28 My son, lead not a beggar’s life; 
Better it is to die than to beg. 
29 A man that looketh unto the table of 
another, 
His life is not to be counted for a 


ife.; 

He will pollute his soul with another 
man’s meats : 

But a man wise and well-instructed 
will beware thereof. 

30 In the mouth of the shameless begging 

will be sweet ; 

And in his belly a fire shall be kin- 
dled. 


410 death, how bitter is the remem- 
brance of thee to a man that is at 
peace in his possessions, 

Unto the man that hath nothing to 
distract him, and hath prosperity in 
all things, 

And that still hath strength to receive 
meat! 

20 death, acceptable is thy sentence 
unto a man that is needy, and that 
faileth in strength, 





That is in extreme old age, and is dis- 
tracted about all things, 

And is perverse, and hath lost pa- 
tience! 

3 Fear not the sentence of death; 

Remember them that have been be- 
fore thee, and that come after: 

This is the sentence from the Lord 
over all flesh. 

4 And why dost thou refuse, when it 
is the good pleasure of the Most 
High? 

Whether it be ten, or a hundred, or a 
‘thousand years, 
There is no inquisition of life in * the 
grave. 


5 The children of sinners are abomina- 
ble children, 
And they frequent the dwellings of 
the ungodly. 
6 The inheritance of sinners’ children 
shall perish, 
And with their posterity shall.be a 
perpetual reproach. 
7 Children will complain of an ungodly 
father, 
Because they shall be reproached for 
his sake. 
8 Woe unto you, ungodly men, 
Which have forsaken the law of the 
Most High God !4 


9If ye be born, ye shall be born to a d 


curse; 
If ye die, a curse shall be your portion. 


10 All things that are of the earth shall | b. 


go back to the earth: 
So the ungodly shall go from a curse 
unto perdition. 
11 The mourning of men is about their 
bodies: 
But the name of sinners being evil 
shall be blotted out. 
12 Have regard to thy name; 
For it continueth with thee longer 
than a thousand great treasures of 


gold. 
13 A good life hath its number of days; 
And a good name continueth for ever. 


14My children, keep instruction in 


peace: 
But wisdom that is hid, and a treasure 
that is not seen, 
What profit is in them both? 
15 Better is a man that hideth his fool- 
ishness 
Than a man that hideth his wisdom. 
16 Wherefore shew reverence to my 
word: 
For it is not good to retain every kind 
of shame ; 
And not all things are approved by 
all in good faith. 


17 Be ashamed of whoredom before fa- 
ther and mother : 
And of a lie before a prince and a 
mighty man; 
18 Of an offence before a judge and ruler ; 


110 





3 Gr. 
Hades. 


thorities. 

















42, 9. ECCLESIASTICUS. 42. 21. 
Of iniquity before the congregation In her youth, lest she pass the flower 
and the people; of her age; 
Of unjust dealing before a partner And when she is married, lest she 
and friend ; should be hated: 
19 And of theft in regard of the place | 10 In her virginity, lest she should be 
where thou sojournest, defiled 
And in regard of the truth of God and And be with child in her father’s 
his covenant; house ; 
And of leaning with thine elbow at And when she hath a husband, lest 
meat; she should transgress ; 
-And of scurrility in the matter of And when she is married, lest she 
giving and taking ; should be barren. 
20 And of silence before them that salute | 11 Keep astrict watch over a headstrong 
thee ; daughter, 
And of looking upon a woman that is Lest she make thee * a laughingstock | s or, a 
a harlot; to thine enemies, rejoicing 
1 Or, the | 21 And of turning away 1 thy face from A byword in the city and ‘notorious | « Gr. 
ad ofa a kinsman; among the people, wih 
Of taking away a portion or a gift; And shame thee before the multitude. : 
And of gazing upon a woman that 
hath a husband ; 12 Look not upon every body in regard 
22 Of being over busy with his maid; of beauty, 
and come not near her bed; And sit not in the midst of women; 
Ofupbraiding speeches before friends; 13 For from garments cometh a moth, 
And after thou hast given, upbraid not; And from a woman a woman’s wicked- 
23 Of repeating and speaking what thou ness. 
hast heard; 14 Better is the wickedness of a man 
And of revealing of secrets. than a pleasant-dealing woman, 
24 So shalt thou be truly shamefast, And a woman which putteth thee to 
And find favour in the sight of every shameful reproach. 
man. 
15 I will make mention now of the works 
492 Of these things be not ashamed, of the Lord, 
And accept no man’s person to sin And will declare the things that I 
thereby : have seen: 
2 Of the law of the Most High, and his In the words of the Lord are his 
covenant ; works. 
And of judgement to do justice to the | 16 The sun that giveth light looketh 
ungodly ; upon all things ; 
3 Of reckoning with a partner and with And the work of the Lord is full of 
travellers ; his glory. 
And of a gift from the heritage of | 17 The Lord hath not given power to the 
friends ; saints to declare all his marvellous 
4 Of exactness of balance and weights ; works; 
And of getting much or little ; Which the Almighty Lord firmly 
5 Of indifferent selling of merchants ; settled, 
And of much correction of children ; That whatsoever is might be estab- 
And of making the side of an evil ser- lished in his glory. 
vant to bleed. 18 He searcheth out the deep, and the 
2 Or, 6? Sure keeping is good, where an evil heart, 
A wife is; And he hath understanding of their 
And where many hands are, shut thou cunning devices: 
close. For the Most High knoweth all know- 
7 Whatsoever thou handest over, let it ledge, 
be by number and weight; And he looketh into the ° signs of the | « Gr. 
And in giving and receiving let all be world, sign. 
in writing. 19 Declaring the things that are past, 
8 Be not ashamed to instruct the unwise and the things that shall be, 
and foolish, And revealing the traces of hidden 





And one of extreme old age that con- 
tendeth with those that are young; 
And so shalt thou be well instructed 


indeed, 
And approved in the sight of every 
man living. 
9 A daughter is a secret cause of wake- 
fulness to a father; 
And the care for her putteth away 
sleep; 





things. 
20 No thought escapeth him ; 
There is not a word hid from him. 
21 The mighty works of his wisdom he 
hath ordered, 
Who is from everlasting to everlast- 
ing: 
Nothing hath been added unto them, 
nor diminished from them ; 
And he had no need of any coun- 
sellor. 


lil 

















43. 13. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


43. 30. 





2 Gr. 
judge- 
ment. 





22 How desirable are all his works! 
One may behold this even unto a 
spark. 
23 All these things live and remain for 
ever in all manner of uses, 
And they are all obedient. 
24 All things are double one against 
another : 
And he hath made nothing imperfect. 
25 One thing establisheth the good things 
of another : 
And who shall be filled with behold- 
ing his glory? 


43 The pride of the height is the firma- 
ment ! in its clearness, 
The appearance of heaven, in the 
spectacle of its glory. 
2 The sun when he appeareth, bringing 
tidings as he goeth forth, 
Is a marvellous instrument, the work 
of the Most High: 
3 At his noon he drieth up the coun- 


try, 
And who shall stand against his burn- 
ing heat? 
4 A man blowing a furnace is in works 
of heat, 
But the sun three times more, burning 
up the mountains: 
Breathing out fiery vapours, 
And sending forth bright beams, he 
dimmeth the eyes. 
5 Great is the Lord that made him; 
And at his word he hasteneth his 
course. 


6 The moon also is in all things for her 
season, 
For a declaration of times, and a sign 
of the world. 
7 From the moon is the sign of the 
feast day; 
A light that waneth when she is come 
to the full. 
8 The month is called after her name, 
Increasing wonderfully in her chang- 
ing ; 
An instrument of the hosts on high, 
Shining forth in the firmament of 
heaven ; 
9 The beauty of heaven, the glory of the 
stars, 
An ornament giving light in the high- 
est places of the Lord. 
10 At the word of the Holy One they will 
stand in ? due order, 
And they will not faint in their 
watches, 
11 Look upon the rainbow, and praise 
him that made it; 
Exceeding beautiful in the brightness 
thereof. 
12 It compasseth the heaven roundabout 
with a circle of glory; 
The hands of the Most High have 
stretched it. 


13 By his commandment he maketh the 
snow to fall apace, 





And sendeth swiftly the lightnings of 
his judgement. 
14 By reason thereof the treasure-houses 
are opened; 
And clouds fly forth as fowls. 
15 By his mighty power he maketh 
strong the clouds, 
And the hailstones are broken small: 
16 And at his appearing the mountains 
will be shaken, 
And at his will the south wind will 
blow. 
17 The voice of his thunder maketh the 
earth to travail; 
So doth the northern storm and the 
whirlwind: 
As birds flying down he sprinkleth the 
snow ; 
And as the lighting of the locust is 
the falling down thereof: 
18 The eye will marvel at the beauty of 
its whiteness, 
And the heart will be astonished at 
the raining of it. 
19 The hoar frost also he poureth on the 
earth as salt; 
And when it is congealed, it is as 
points of thorns. 


20 The cold north wind shall blow, 
And the ice shall be congealed on the 
water : 
It shall lodge upon every gathering 
together of water, 
And the water shall put on asit were 
a breastplate. 
21 It shall devour the mountains, and 
burn up the wilderness, 
And consume the green herb as fire. 
22 A mist coming speedily is the healing 
of all things; 
A dew coming after heat shall bring 
cheerfulness. 
23 By his counsel he hath stilled the 
deep, 
And * planted islands therein. 
24 They that sail on the sea tell of the 
danger thereof ; 
And when we hear it with our ears, 
we marvel. 
25 Therein be also those strange and 
wondrous works, 
Variety of all that hath life, the * race 
of sea-monsters. 
26 By reason of him his end hath suc- 
cess, 
And by his word all things consist. 


27 We may say many things, yet shall 
we not attain ; 
And the sum of our words is, He is all. 
28 How shall we have strength to glorify 
him? 
For he is himself the great one above 
all his works. 
29 The Lord is terrible and exceeding 
great; 
And marvellous is his power. 
30 When ye glorify the Lord, exalt him 
as much as ye can; 


112 














44, 15. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 








E 





For even yet will he exceed: | 

And when ye exalt him, put forth your 
full strength: 

at = weary; for ye will never at- 


31 wip sea seen him, that he may 
declare him? 
And who shall magnify him as he is? 
32 Many things are hidden greater than 
these ; 


For we. have seen but a few of his 


works. 
33 For the Lord made all things ; 
And to the godly gave he wisdom. 


44 Let us now praise famous men, 
And our fathers that begat us. 
2 The Lord: manifested in them great 
glory 
Even his mighty power from the be- 


ginning. 
3 Such as did bear rule in their king- 
doms, 
And were men renowned for their 


power, 
2 Giving counsel by their understand- 


ing, 
Such as have brought tidings in pro- 
phecies : 
4 Leaders of the people by their coun- 
sels, 
And by their understanding * men of 
learning for the people ; 
Wise were their words in their instruc- 
tion: 
5 Such as sought out musical tunes, 
And set forth verses in writing: 
6 Rich men furnished with ability, 
Living peaceably in their habitations: 
7 All these were honoured in their gen- 
erations, 
And were a glory in their days. 
8 There be of them, that have left a 
name behind them, 
To declare their praises. 
9 And some there be, which have no 
memorial ; 
Who are perished as though they had 
not been, 
And are become as though they had 
not been born ; 
And their children after them. 
10 But these were men of mercy, 
Whose righteous deeds have not been 
forgotten. 
11 With their seed shall remain continu- 
ally a good inheritance ; 
Their children are * within the cove- 


nants. 
12 Their seed standeth fast, 
And their children for their sakes. 
13 Their seed shall remain for ever, 
And their glory shall not be blotted 
out. 
14 Their bodies were buried in peace, 
And their name liveth to all genera- 
tions. 
15 Peoples will declare their wisdom, 
And the congregation telleth out their 
praise. 


113 





16 Enoch pleased the Lord, and was 
translated, 
Being an example of repentance to all 
generations. 
17 Noah was found perfect and right- 
eous ; 
In the season of wrath he was taken 
in exchange for the world; 
Therefore was there left a remnant 
unto the earth, 
When the flood came. 
18 Everlasting covenants were made 
with him 
That all flesh should no more be 
blotted out by a flood. 


19 Abraham was a great father of a mul- 
titude of nations ; 
And there was none found like him in 


glory ; 
20 Who kept the law of the Most High, 
And was taken into covenant with 


him: 

In his flesh he established the cove- 
nant; 

And when he was proved, he was 
found faithful. 


21 Therefore he assured him by an oath, 

That the nations should be blessed in 
his seed; 

That he would multiply him as the 
dust of the earth, 

And exalt his seed as the stars, 

And cause them to inherit from sea 
to sea, 

And from the River unto the utmost 
part of the earth. 

22 In Isaac also did he establish like- 
wise, for Abraham his father’s 
sake, 

The blessing of all men, and the cove- 
nant: 

23 And he made it rest upon the head of 
Jacob; 

He acknowledged him in his bless- 


ings, 
And gave to him by inheritance, 
And divided his portions ; 
Among twelve tribes did he part 
them. 


45 And he brought out of him a man of 
mercy, 
Which found fayour in the sight of all 


sh; 
A man beloved of God and men, even 
Moses, 
Whose memorial is blessed. 
2 He made him like to the glory of the 
saints, 
And magnified him in the fears of his 
enemies. 
3 By his words he caused the wonders 
to cease ; 
He glorified him in the sight of kings; 
He gave him commandment for his 
people, 
And shewed him part of his glory. 
I 














45. 15. ECCLESIASTICUS. 


45. 26. 








4 He sanctified him in his faithfulness 
and meekness ; 
He chose him out of all flesh. 
5 He made him to hear his voice, 
And led him into the thick darkness, 
And gave him commandments face to 
face, 
Even the law of life and knowledge, 
That he might teach Jacob the cove- 
nant, 
And Israel his judgements. 


6 He exalted Aaron, a holy man like 
unto him, 
Even his brother, of the tribe of Levi. 

7 He established for him an everlasting 

covenant, 
And gave him the priesthood of the 
people ; 

pas , He 1 beautified him with comely orna- 
F ments, 

And girded him about with a robe of 
glory. 

8 He clothed him with the perfection of 

exultation ; 
And strengthened him with apparel 

2 Gr. of 2 honour, 

erength. The linen breeches, the long robe, 
and the ephod. 

9 And he compassed him with pome- 
granates of gold, 

And with many bells round about, 

To send forth a sound as he went, 

To makea sound that might be heard 
in the temple, 

For a memorial to the children of his 
people; 

10 With a holy garment, with gold and 
blue and purple, the work of the 
embroiderer, 

With an oracle of judgement, even 
with the Urim and Thummim ; 

11 With twisted scarlet, the work of the 
craftsman ; 

With precious stones graven like a 
signet, in a setting of gold, the work 
of the jeweller, 

For a memorial engraved in writing, 
after the number of the tribes of 
Israel ; 

12 With a crown of gold upon the mitre, 

3 Gr. an Shaving graven on it, as ona signet, 

Sie org HOLINESS, 

signet of An ornament of honour,a work of 

holiness. might, 

The desires of the eyes, goodly and 
beautiful. 

13 Before him there never have been 
any such; 

No stranger put them on, but his sons 
only, and his offspring perpetually. 

14 His sacrifices shall be wholly con- 
sumed 

Every day twice continually. 

4Gr.__ | 15 Moses * consecrated him, 

d his And anointed him with holy oil: 

It was unto him for an everlasting 

covenant, 

And to his seed, all the days of hea- 

ven, 








To minister unto him, and to execute 
also the priest’s office, 

And bless his people in his name. 

16 He chose him out of all living 

To offer sacrifice to the Lord, 

Incense, and a sweet savour, for a 
memorial, 

To make reconciliation for thy peo- 


ple. 
17 He gave unto him in his command- 
ments, 
Yea, authority in the covenants of 
judgements, 
To teach Jacob the testimonies, 
And to enlighten Israel in his law. 
18 Strangers gathered themselves to- 
gether against him, 
And envied him in the wilderness, 
Even Dathan and Abiram with their 
company, 
And the congregation of Korah, with 
wrath and anger. 
19 The Lord saw it, and it displeased 
him; 
And in the wrath of his anger they 
were destroyed: 
He did wonders upon them, 
To consume them with flaming fire. 
20 And he added glory to Aaron, 
And gave him a heritage : 
He divided unto him the firstfruits of 
the inerease ; 
And first did he prepare bread in 
abundance : 
21 For they shall eat the sacrifices of the 
Lord, 
Which he gave unto him and to his 
seed. 3 
22 Howbeit in the land of the people he 
shall have no inheritance, 
And he hath no portion among the 
people: 
For he himself is thy portion and in- 
heritance. 


23 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar is 
the third in glory, ; 

In that he was zealous in the fear of 
the Lord, 

And stood fast in the good forward- 
ness of his soul when the people 
turned away, 

And he made reconciliation for Is- 
rael. 

24 Therefore was there a covenant of 
peace established for him, 

That he should be leader of the 
5saints and of his people; 

That he and his seed 

Should have the dignity of the priest- 
hood for ever. 

25 Also he made a covenant with David 
the son of Jesse, of the tribe of 
Judah ; 

The inheritance of the king is his 
alone from son to son; 

So the inheritance of Aaron is also 
unto his seed. 

26 God give you wisdom in your heart 

To judge his people in righteousness, 


114 




















46. 11. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 











That their good things be not abol- 
ishe 


And that their glory endure for all 
their generations. 


46 Joshua the son of ! Nun was valiant 
in war, 
And was the successor of Moses in 
prophecies : 
Who according to his name was made 
great 
For the saving of * God’s elect, 
To take vengeance of the enemies 
that rose up against them, 
That he might give Israel their inherit- 
ance. 
2 How was he glorified in the lifting 
up his hands, 
And in stretching out his sword 
». against the cities! 
3 Who before him so stood fast? 
For the Lord himself brought his 
enemies unto him. 
4 Did not the sun go back by his hand? 
And did not one day become as two? 
_ 6 He ealled upon the Most High and 
Mighty One, 
When his foes pressed him round 
about; 
And the great Lord heard him. 
6 With hailstones of mighty power 
He caused war to break violently up- 
on the nation, 
And *in the going down he destroyed 


them that resisted ; 

That the nations might know his 
4armour, , 

How that he fought in the sight of 
the Lord; 


For he followed after the Mighty 


One. 

7 Also in the time of Moses he did a 
work of mercy, 

He and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, 

In that they withstood the adversary, 

Hindered the people from sin, 

And stilled the murmuring of wicked- 
ness. 

8 And of six hundred thousand people 
on foot, they two alone were pre- 
served 

To bring them into the heritage, 
Even into a land flowing with milk 


and honey. 
9 Aliso the Lord gave strength unto 
Caleb, 
And it remained with him unto his 
old age; 
So that he entered upon the height of 


the land, 
And his seed obtained it for a herit- 


age: 
10 That all the children of Israel might 
see 
That it is good to walk after the 
Lord. 
11 Also the judges, every one by his 


name, 
All whose hearts went not a whoring, 





And = turned not away from the 
Lord, 

May their memorial be blessed. 

12 May their bones flourish again out of 

their place, 

And may the name of them that have 
been honoured be renewed upon 
their children. 


13 Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, be- 
loved of his Lord, 
Established a kingdom, and anointed 
princes over his people. 
14 By the law of the Lord he judged the 
congregation, 
And the Lord visited Jacob. 
15 By his faithfulness he was proved to 
be a prophet, 
And by his words he was known to 
be faithful in vision. 
16 Also when his enemies pressed him 
round about 
He called upon the Lord, the Mighty 
One, 
With the offering of the sucking lamb. 
17 And the Lord thundered from heaven, 
And with a mighty sound made his 
voice to be heard. 
18 And he utterly destroyed the rulers of 
the Tyrians, 
And all the princes of the Philistines. 
19 Also before the time of his long sleep 
He made protestations in the sight of 
the Lord and his anointed, 
I have not taken any man’s goods, so 
much as a shoe: 
And no man did accuse him. 
20 And after he fell asleep he prophesied, 
And shewed the king his end, 
And lifted up his voice from the earth 
in prophecy, 
To blot out the wickedness of the 
people. 


47 And after him rose up Nathan 
To prophesy in the days of David. 
2 As is the fat when it is separated 
from the peace offering, 
So was David separated from the chil- 
dren of Israel. 
3 He played with lions as with kids, 
And with bears as with lambs of the 
flock. 
4 In his youth did he not slay a giant, 
And take away reproach from the 
people, 
When he lifted up his hand with a 
sling stone, 
And beat down the boasting of Goli- 
ath ? 
5 For he called upon the Most High 
Lord; 
And he gave him strength in his right 
hand, 
To slay a man mighty in war, 
To exalt the horn of his people. 
6 So they glorified him for his ten thou- 
sands, 
And praised him for the blessings of 
the Lord, 


115 





“ 














47,22. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


48, 13. 





thorities. 


2 Gr. 
parabd 





In that there was given him a diadem 
of glory. 
7 For he destroyed the enemies on every 


side, 

And brought to nought the Philistines 
his adversaries, 

Brake their horn in pieces unto this 


y. 
8 In every work of his he gave thanks 
to the Holy One Most High with 
words of glory; 
With his whole heart he sang praise, 
And loved him that made him. 
9 Also he set singers before the altar, 
And to make sweet melody by their 
music.t 
10 He gave comeliness to the feasts, 
And set in order the seasons to per- 
fection, 
While they praised his holy name, 
And the sanctuary sounded from early 
morning. 
11 The Lord took away his sins, 
And exalted his horn for ever ; 
And gave him a covenant of kings, 
And a throne of glory in Israel. 


12 After him rose up a son, a man of 
understanding ; 
And for his sake he dwelt at large. 
13 Solomon reigned in days of peace; 
And to him God gave rest round about, 
That he might set up a house for his 
name, 
And prepare a sanctuary for ever. 
14 How wise wast thou made in thy 
youth, 
And filled as a river with under- 
standing! 
15 Thy soul covered the earth, 
And thou filledst it with ? dark para- 
bles. 
16 Thy name reached unto the isles afar 


off ; 
And for thy peace thou wast beloved. 
17 For thy songs and proverbs and para- 
bles, 
And for thine interpretations, the 
countries marvelled at thee. 
18 By the name of the Lord God, 
Which is called the God of Israel, 
Thou didst gather gold as tin, 
And didst multiply silver as lead. 
19 Thou didst bow thy loins unto women, 
And in thy body thou wast brought 
into subjection. 
20 Thou didst blemish thine honour, 
And profane thy seed, 
To bring wrath upon thy children ; 
And I was grieved for thy folly: 
21 So that the sovereignty was divided, 
And out of Ephraim ruled a disobedi- 
ent kingdom. 
22 But the Lord will never forsake his 
mercy ; 
And he will not destroy any of his 
works, 
Nor blot out the posterity of his elect; 
And the seed of him that loved him he 
will not take away; 





And he gave a remnant unto Jacob, 
And unto David a root out of him. 


23 And so rested Solomon with his fa- 
thers ; 
And of his seed he left behind him 
Rehoboam, 
Even the foolishness of the people, 
and one that lacked understanding, 
Who made the people to revolt by his 
counsel. 
Also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, 
Who made Israel to sin, 
And gave unto Ephraim a way of sin. 
24 And their sins were multiplied exceed- 
ingly, 
To remove them from their land. 
25 For they sought out all manner of 
wickedness, 
Till vengeance should come upon 
them. 


48 Also there arose Elijah the prophet 
as fire, 
And his word burned like a torch: 
2 Who brought a famine upon them, 
And by his zeal made them few in 
number. 
3 By the word of the Lord he shut up 
the heaven: 
Thrice did he thus bring down fire. 
4 How wast thou glorified, O Elijah, in 
thy wondrous deeds! 
And who shall glory like unto thee? 
5 Who did raise up a dead man from 
death, 
And from *the place of the dead, by 
the word of the Most High: 
6 Who brought down kings to destruc- 
tion, 
And honourable men from their bed : 
7 Who heard rebuke in Sinai, 
And judgements of vengeance in 
Horeb: 
8 Who anointed kings for retribution, 
And prophets to succeed after him: 
9 Who was taken up in a tempest of fire, 
In a chariot of fiery horses: 
10 Who was recorded for reproofs in 
their seasons, 
To pacify anger, before it brake forth 
into wrath ; 
To turn the heart of the father unto 
the son, 
And to restore the tribes of Jacob. 
11 Blessed are they that saw thee, 
And they that have been beautified 
with love; 
For we also shall surely live. 


12 Elijah it was, who was wrapped ina 
tempest : 
And Elisha was filled with his spirit ; 
And in all his days he was not moved 
by the fear of any ruler, 
And no one brought him into subjec- 
tion. 
13 * Nothing was too high for him; 
And when he was laid on sleep his 
body prophesied. 


116 





3 Gr. 
Hades. 

















49. 2. ECCLESIASTICUS. 49. 16. 
14 As in his life he did wonders, And took away the abominations of 
So in death were his works marvel- iniquity. 
ous. 3 He set his heart right toward the 
15 For all this the people repented not, Lord; 2 
And they departed not from their sins, In the days of wicked men he made}. 
Till they were carried away as a godliness to prevail. 
spoil from their land, 
And were scattered through all the} 4 Except David and Hezekiah and 
earth; Josiah, 
And the people was left very few in All committed trespass: 
- number, For tliey forsook the law of the Most 
_And aruler was left in the house of High ; 
David. The kings of Judah failed. 
16Some of them did that which was| 5For they gave their *power unto be 
pleasing to God, others, ° 
And some multiplied sins. And their glory to a strange nation. 
6 They set on fire the chosen city of 
17 Hezekiah fortified his city, the sanctuary, 
1 Some And brought in 1 water into the midst And made her streets desolate, as it 
ancient of them: was written by the hand of Jere- 
— He digged the sheer rock with iron, miah. 
— y And builded up wells for waters. 7 For they entreated him evil; 
tation, -| 18 In his days Sennacherib came up, And yet he was sanctified in the womb 
read And sent Rabshakeh, and departed; to be a prophet, 
Gog. And he lifted up his hand against To root out, and to afflict, and to 
Sion, destroy ; 
And boasted great things in his arro- And in like manner to build and to 
gancy. plant. 
19Then were their hearts and their| 8 Zé was Ezekiel who saw the vision of 
hands shaken, glory, 
And they were in pain, as women in Which God shewed him upon the 
travail; chariot of the cherubim. 
20 And they called upon the Lord. which | 9For verily he remembered the ene- 
is merciful, mies in * storm, 3 Gr. 
Spreading forth their hands unto And to do good to them that directed | 7" 
him: their ways aright. 
And the Holy One heard them speed- | 10 Also of the twelve prophets + 4 The 
ily out of heaven, May the bones flourish again out of | [7Par" 
And delivered them by the hand of their place. this line 
Isaiah. And he comforted Jacob, py ag 
21 He smote the camp of the Assyrians, And delivered them by confidence of | the best 
And his angel utterly destroyed them. hope. authori- 
22 For Hezekiah did that which was tes. 
pleasing to the Lord, 11 How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? 
And was strong in the ways of David And he was as a signet on the right 
his father, hand: 
Which Isaiah the prophet command-| 12 So was Jesus the son of Josedek: 
ed, Who in their days builded the house, 
Who was great and faithful in his And exalted a * people holy to the | 5 Some 
vision. Lord, <r 
23 In his days the sun went backward; Prepared for everlasting glory. ties read 
And he added life to the king. 13 Also of Nehemiah the memorial is 





24 He saw by an excellent spirit what 
should come to pass at the last; 
And he comforted them that mourned 


in Sion. 
25 He shewed the things that should be 
to the end of time, 
And the hidden things or ever they 
came. 


49 The memorial of Josiah is like the 
composition of incense 
Prepared by the work of the apothe- 


eary: 
It shall be sweet as honey in every 
mouth, 
And as music at a banquet of wine. 
2 He behaved himself uprightly in the 
conversion of the people, 





great; 

Who raised up for us the walls that 
were fallen, 

And set up the gates and bars, 

And raised up our homes again. 


14 No man was created upon the earth 
such as was Enoch; 
For he was taken up from the earth. 
15 Neither was there a man born like 
unto Joseph, 
A governor of his brethren, a stay of 
the people: 
Yea, his bones were visited. 
16 Shem and Seth were glorified among 
men; 
And above every living thing in the 
creation is Adam. 


117 














50. 15. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 


50. 29. 








1 Or, 
high 


2 The 
text here 
seems 

to be 
corrupt. 


5 Gr. 
cup of 
libation. 





5O /t was Simon, the son of Onias, the 
1 great priest, 
Who in his life repaired the house, 
And in his days strengthened the 
temple: 
2 And by him was built from the foun- 
er the height of the double 


all, 
The lofty underworks of the inclosure 
of the temple: 
3 In his days the cistern of waters was 
2 diminished, 
The brasen vessel in compass as the 
sea. 
4 Jt was he that took thought for his 
people that they should not fall, 
And fortified the city *against be- 
sieging: 
5 How glorious was he when the peo- 
ple gathered round him 
At his coming forth out of the 4 sanc- 
tuary ! 
6 As the morning star in the midst of a 
cloud, 
As the moon at the full: 
7 As the sun shining forth upon the 
temple of the Most High, 
And as the rainbow giving light in 
clouds of glory: 
8 As the flower of roses in the days of 
new fruits, 
As lilies at the waterspring, 
As the shoot of the frankincense tree 
in the time of summer: 
9 As fire and incense in the censer, 
AS a vessel all of beaten gold 
goomin with all manner of precious 
stone 
10 As an rane tree budding forth fruits, 
Andas a cypress growing high among 
the clouds. 
11 When he took up the robe of glory, 
And put on the perfection of exulta- 
tion, 
In the ascent of the holy altar, 
He made glorious the precinct of the 
sanctuary. 
12 And when he received the portions 
out of the priests’ hands, 
Himself also standing by the hearth 
of the altar, 
His brethren as a garland round 
about him, 
He was as a young cedar in Libanus; 
And as stems of palm trees compass- 
ed they him round about, 
13 And all the sons of Aaron in their 
glory, 
And the Lord’s offering in their hands, 
before all the congregation of Is- 


rael. 
14 And finishing the service at the al- 
tars, 
That he might adorn the offering of 
the Most High, the Almighty, 
15 ite stretched out his hand to the 
5 eup, 
And poured of the blood of the grape ; 
He poured out at the foot of the altar 





A sweet-smelling savour unto the 
Most High, the King ofall. 
16 Then shouted the sons of Aaron, 
They sounded the trumpets of beaten 
work, 
They made a great noise to be heard, 
For a remembrance before the Most 


High. 
17 Then all the people together hasted, 
And fell down upon the earth on their 
faces 
To worship their Lord, the Almighty, 
God Most High. 
18 The singers also praised him with 
their voices ; 
In the whole house was there made 
sweet melody. 
19 And the people besought the Lord 
Most High, 
7 ae before him that is merci- 
ul, 
Till the ® worship of the Lord should 
be ended ; 
And so they accomplished his ser- 


vice. 
20 Then he went down, and lifted up his 
hands 
Over the whole congregation of the 
children of Israel, 
To give blessing unto the Lord with 
his lips, 
And to glory in his name. 
21 And he bowed himself down in wor- 
ship the second time, 
To declare the blessing from the Most 
High. 


22 And now bless ye the God of all, 
Which everywhere doeth great things, 
Which exalteth our days from the 


womb, 
And dealeth with us according to his 
mercy. 
23 May he grant us joyfulness of heart, 
And that peace may be in our days in 
Israel for the days of eternity: 
24 To intrust his mercy with us; 
And let him deliver us in his time! 


25 With two nations is my soul vexed, 
And the third is no nation: 
26 They that sit upon the mountain of 
7 Samaria, and the Philistines, 
And that foolish people that dwelleth 
in Sichem. 


271 have ®written in this book the 
instruction of understanding and 
knowledge, 

I Jesus, the son of Sirach Eleazar, of 
Jerusalem, 

Who out of his heart poured forth 
wisdom. 

28 Blessed is he that shall be exercised 
in these things ; 

And he that layeth them up in:his 
heart shall become wise. 

29 For if he do them, he shall be strong 
to all things: 

For the light of the Lordis his * guide.'° 


118 





6 Gr. 


ment. 


thorities. 








\ 





51. 12. 


ECCLESIASTICUS. 








1 Gr. 
Hades. 





A Prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. 
511 will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, 
O Kin 


g, 
And will praise thee, God my Saviour: 
I do give thanks unto thy name: 
2¥For thou wast my protector and 


helper, 

And didst deliver my body out of 
destruction, 

And out of the snare of a slanderous | 
tongue, 

From lips that forge lies, 

And wast my helper before them that 
stood by ; 

3 And didst deliver me, according to 

the abundance of thy merey, and 

. greatness of thy name, 

From the gnashings of teeth ready to 
devour, 

Out of the hand of such as sought my 


life, 
Out a the manifold afflictions which 
I 
4 From the choking of a fire on every 


side 
And out of = midst of fire which I 
kindled n 
5 Out of the fants of the belly of ithe 
grave, 
And from an unclean tongue, 
And from lying words, 
6 The slander of an unrighteous tongue 
unto the king. 
My soul drew near even unto death, 
And my life was near to? the grave 
beneath. 
7 They compassed me on every side, 
And there was none to help me. 
I was looking for the succour of men, 
And it was not. 
8 And I remembered thy mercy, O 
Lord, 
And thy working which hath been 
from everlasting, 
How thou deliverest them that wait 
for thee, 
And savest them out of the hand of 
the enemies. 
9 — I lifted up my supplication from 
e 


And prayed for deliverance from 
death. 
10 I called upon the Lord, the Father of 
my Lord, 
That he would not forsake me in the 
days of affliction, 
In the time when there was no help 
against the proud. 
111 will praise thy name continually, 
And will sing praise with 
giving; 
And my supplication was heard: 
12 For thou savedst me from destruction, 
= deliveredst me from the evil 
e: 





Therefore will I give thanks and 
praise unto thee, 
And bless the name of the Lord. 


13 When I was yet young, 
Or ever I went abroad, 
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer. 
14 Before the temple I asked for her, 
And I will seek her out even to the 


end. 
15 From her flower as from the ripening 
grape my heart delighted in her: 
My foot trod in uprightness, 
From my youth I tracked her out. 
161 bowed down mine ear a little, and 
received her, 
And found for myself much instruc- 


tion. 
17 I profited in her: 
Unto him that giveth me wisdom I 
will give glory. 
18 For I purposed to practise her, 
And I was zealous for that which is 
good ; 
And I shall never be put to shame. 
19 My soul hath wrestled in her, 
And in my doing I was exact: 
I spread forth my hands to the heaven 
above, 
And bewailed my ignorances of her. 
20 I set my soul aright unto her, 
And in pureness I found her. 
I gat me a heart joined with her from 
the beginning : 
Therefore shall I not be forsaken. 
21 My inward part also was troubled to 
seek her: 
Therefore have I gotten a good pos- 
session. 
22 The Lord gave me a tongue for my 
reward; 
And I will praise him therewith. 


23 Draw near unto me, ye unlearned, 
And lodge in the house of instruction. 
24 Say, wherefore are ye lacking in these 
things, 
And your souls are very thirsty? 
25 I opened my mouth, and spake, 
Get her for yourselves without money. 
26 Put your neck under the yoke, 
And let your soul receive instruc- 
tion: 
She is hard at hand to find. 
27 Behold with your eyes, 
How that I laboured but a little, 
And found for myself much rest. 
28 Get you instruction with a great sum 
of silver, 
And gain much gold by her. 
29 May your soul rejoice in his mercy, 
And may ye not be put to shame in 
praising him. 
30 Work your work before the time 
cometh, 
And in his time he will give you your 
reward. 


119 





51. 30. 














1 An- 
other 
readin 
is, an 
vowed 


vows. 


2See _ 
‘ Deut. xi. 
21. 





BARUCH. 


1 AND these are the words of the book, 
which Baruch the son of Nerias, the 
son of Maaseas, the son of Sedekias, 
the son of Asadias, the son of Helkias, 

2 wrote in Babylon, in the fifth year, 
and in the seventh day of the month, 
what time as the Chaldeans took Je- 

3rusalem, and burnt it with fire. And 
Baruch did read the words of this 
book in the hearing of Jechonias the 
son of Joakim king of Judah, and in 
the hearing of all the people that 

4came to hear the book, and in the 
hearing of the mighty men, and of the 
kings’ sons, and in the hearing of 
the elders, and in the hearing of all 
the people, from the least unto the 
greatest, even of all them that dwelt at 

5 Babylon by the river Sud. And they 
wept, and fasted, 1and prayed before 

6 the Lord; they made also a collection 
of money according to every man’s 

7 power: and they sent i¢ to Jerusalem 
unto Joakim the high priest, the son 
of Helkias, the son of Salom, and to 
the priests, and to all the people 
which were found with him at Jeru- 

8 salem, at the same time when he took 
the vessels of the house of the Lord, 
that had been carried out of the tem- 
ple, to return them into the land of 
Judah, the tenth day of the month 
Sivan, namely, silver vessels, which 
Sedekias the son of Josias king of Ju- 

9 dah had made, after that Nabucho- 
donosor king of Babylon had carried 
away Jechonias, and the princes, and 
the captives, and the mighty men, and 
the people of the land, from Jerusa- 
lem, and brought them unto Babylon. 

10 And they said, Behold, we have sent 
you money; buy you therefore with 
the money burnt offerings, and sin of- 
ferings, and incense, and prepare an 
oblation, and offer upon the altar of 

11the Lord our God; and pray for the 
life of Nabuchodonosor king of Baby- 
lon, and for the life of Baltasar his 
son, that their days may be 2as the 

12 days of heaven above the earth: and 
the Lord will give us strength, and 
lighten our eyes, and we shall live 
under the shadow of Nabuchodonosor 
king of Babylon, and under the sha- 
dow of Baltasar his son, and we shall 
serve them many days, and find fa- 

13 vour in their sight. Pray for us also 
unto the Lord our God, for we have 
sinned against the Lord our God; and 
unto this day the wrath of the Lord 
and his indignation is not turned from 

14us. And ye shall read this book 





which we have sent unto you, to make 
confession in the house of the Lord, 
upon the day of the feast and on the 
days of the solemn assembly. 

15 And ye shall say, To the Lord our 
God belongeth righteousness, but un- 
to us confusion of face, as at this day, 
unto the men of Judah, and to the in- 

16 habitants of Jerusalem, and to our 
kings, and to our princes, and to our 
priests, and to our prophets, and to 

17 our fathers: for that we have sinned 

18 before the Lord, and disobeyed him, 
and have not hearkened unto the 
voice of the Lord our God, to walk in 
the commandments of the Lord that 

19 he hath set before us: since the day 
that the Lord brought our fathers out 
of the land of Egypt, unto this pre- 
sent day, we have been disobedient 
unto the Lord our God, and we have 
dealt unadvisedly in not hearkening 

20 unto his voice. Wherefore the plagues 
clave unto us, and the curse, which 
the Lord commanded Moses his ser- 
vant to pronounce in the day that he 
brought our fathers out of the land of 
Egypt, to give us a land that floweth 
with milk and honey, as at this day. 

21 Nevertheless we hearkened not unto 
the voice of the Lord our God, accord- 
ing unto all the words of the prophets, 

22 whom he sent unto us: but we walked 
every man in the imagination of his 
own wicked heart, to serve strange 
gods, and to do that which is evil in 

2 the sight of the Lord our God. There- 


fore the Lord hath made good his}. 


word, which he pronounced against 
us, and against our judges that judged 
Israel, and against our kings, and 
against our princes, and against the 
2men of Israel and Judah, to bring 
upon us great plagues, such as never 
happened under the whole heaven, 
3as it came to pass in Jerusalem, 
according to the things that are writ- 
3 ten in the law of Moses; that we should 
eat every man the flesh of his own son, 
and every man the flesh of his own 
4 daughter. Moreover he hath given 
them to be in subjection to all the 
kingdoms that are round about us, to 
be a reproach and a desolation among 
all the people round about, where the 
5 Lord hath scattered them. Thus were 
they cast down, and not exalted, be- 
cause we sinned against the Lord our 
God, in not hearkening unto his voice. 
6 To the Lord our God belongeth right- 
eousness: but unto us and to our fa- 
thers confusion of face, as at this day. 


120 














2. 24. 


BARUCH. 





4 


1 Gr. 
Hades. 








7 For all these plagues are come upon 
us, which the Lord hath pronounced 
8 against us. Yethave we not intreated 
the favour of the Lord, in turning 
eyery one from the thoughts of his 

9 wicked heart. Therefore hath the 
_ Lord kept watch over the plagues, and 
the Lord hath brought them upon us; 
for the Lord is righteous in all his 
works which he hath commanded us. 

10 Yet we have not hearkened unto his 

voice, to walk in the commandments 
_of the Lord thatehe hath set before 
~ us. 

11 And now, 0 Lord, thou God of Israel, 
that hast brought thy people out of 
the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, 
and with signs, and with wonders, and 
with great power, and with a high 
arm, and hast gotten thyself a name, 

12as at this day: O Lord our God, we 
haye sinned, we have done ungodly, 
we have dealt. unrighteously in all 

13 thine ordinances. Let thy wrath turn 
from us: for we are but a few left 
among the heathen, where thou hast 

14 scattered us. Hear our prayer, O 
Lord, and our petition, and deliver us 
for thine own sake, and give us favour 
in the sight of them which have led us 

15 away captive: that all the earth may 
know that thou art the Lord our God, 
because Israel and his posterity is 

16 called by thy name. O Lord, look 
down from thine holy house, and con- 
sider us: incline thine ear, O Lord, 

17 and hear: open thine eyes, and be- 
hold: for the dead that are in 1 the 
grave, whose breath is taken from 
their bodies, will give unto the Lord 

18 neither glory nor righteousness: but 
the soul that is greatly vexed, which 
goeth stooping and feeble, and the 
eyes that fail, and the hungry soul, 
will give thee glory and righteousness, 

190 Lord. For we do not present our 
supplication before thee, O Lord our 
God, for the righteousness of our 

20 fathers, and of our kings. For thou 
hast sent thy wrath and thine indig- 
nation upon us, as thou hast spoken 
by thy servants the prophets, saying, 

21 Thus saith the Lord, Bow your shoul- 
ders to serve the king of Babylon, and 
remain in the land that I gave unto 

22 your fathers. But if ye will not hear 
the voice of the Lord, to serve the 

23 king of Babylon, I will cause to cease 
out of the cities of Judah, and from 
without Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, 
and the voice of gladness, the voice of 
the bridegroom, and the voice of the 
bride: and the whole land shall be 

24 desolate without inhabitant. But we 
would not hearken unto thy voice, to 
serve the king of Babylon: therefore 
hast thou made good thy words that 
thou spakest by thy servants the pro- 
phets, namely, that the bones of our 
kings, and the bones of our fathers, 


121 





should be taken out of their places. 
25 And, lo, they are cast out to the heat 
by day, and to the frost by night, and 
they died in great miseries by famine, 
26 by sword, and by ? pestilence. And 
the house which is called by thy name 
hast thou laid waste,as at this day, 
for the wickedness of the house of 
27 Israel and the house of Judah. Yet, 
O Lord our God, thou hast dealt with 
us after all thy kindness, and accord- 
28 ing to all that great mercy of thine, as 


thou spakest by thy servant Moses in 


the day when thou didst command him 
to write thy law before the children of 
29 Israel, saying, If ye will not hear my 
voice, surely this very great multitude 
shall be turned into a small nwmber 
among the nations, where I will scat- 
30 ter them. For I know that they will 
not hear me, because itis a stiffmecked 
people: but in the land of their cap- 
31 tivity they shall lay it to heart, and 
shall know that I am the Lord their 
God: and I will give them a heart, 
32 and ears to hear: and they shall praise 
me in the land of their captivity, and 
33 think upon my name, and shall return 
from their stiff neck, and from their 
wicked deeds: for they shall remem- 
ber the way of their fathers, which 
34 sinned before the Lord. And I will 
bring them again into the land which 
I sware unto their fathers, to Abra- 
ham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and they 
shall be lords of it : and I will increase 
them, and they shall not be dimin- 
35 ished. And I will make an everlast- 
ing covenant with them to be their 
God, and they shall be my people: 
and I will no more remove my people 
of Israel out of the land that I have 
given them. 
83 O Lord Almighty, thou God of Is- 
rael, the soul in anguish, the troubled 
2 spirit, crieth unto thee. Hear, O 
Lord, and have mercy ; for thou art a 
merciful God: yea, have mercy upon 
us, because we have sinned before 
3thee. For thou sittest as king for 
4Aever, and we perish evermore. O 
Lord Almighty, thou God of Israel, 
hear now the prayer of *the dead Is- 
raelites, and of the children of them 
which were sinners before thee, that 
hearkened not unto the voice of thee 
their God: for the which cause these 
5 plagues clave unto us. Remember 
not the iniquities of our fathers: but 
remember thy power and thy name 
6 now at this time. For thou art the 
Lord our God, and thee, O Lord, will 
7 we praise. For for this cause thou 
hast put thy fear in our hearts, * to the 
intent that we should call upon thy 
name: and we will praise thee in our 
captivity, for we have > called to mind 
all the iniquity of our fathers, that 
8 sinned before thee. Behold, we are yet 
this day in our captivity, where thou 
J* 














3. 82. 


BARUCH. 








1 Gr. 
Hades. 


2 Or, 
prudence 


xi. 27 
(Sept.). 


4 An- 
other 
reading 
is, the 


way 
thereof. 





4. 18. 





hast scattered us, for a reproach and 
a curse, and to be subject to penalty, 
according to all the iniquities of our 
fathers, which departed from the 
Lord our God. 
9 Hear, O Israel,the commandments of 
life: give ear to understand wisdom. 
10 How happeneth it, O Israel, that thou 
art in thine enemies’ land, that thou 
art waxen old in a strange country, 
that thou art defiled with the dead, 
11 that thou art counted with them that 
12 go down into ! the grave? Thou hast 
13 forsaken the fountain of wisdom. For 
if thou hadst walked in the way of 
God, thou shouldest have dwelled in 
14 peace for ever. Learn where is? wis- 
dom, where is strength, where is under- 
standing; that thou mayest know also 
where is length of days, and life, where 
is the light of the eyes, and peace. 
15 Who hath found out her place? and 
who hath come into her treasuries ? 
16 Where are the princes of the heathen, 
and such as ruled the beasts that are 
17 upon the earth; they that had their 
pastime with the fowls of the air, and 
they that hoarded up silver and gold, 
wherein men trust; and of whose get- 
18 ting there isnoend? For they that 
3 wrought in silver, and were so care- 
ful, and whose works are past finding 
19 out, they are vanished and gone down 
to 1 the grave, and others are come up 
20in their steads. Younger men have 
seen the light, and dwelt upon the 
earth: but the way of knowledge have 
21 they not known, neither understood 
they the paths thereof: neither have 
their children laid hold of it: they are 
22 far off from ‘their way. It hath not 
been heard of in Canaan, neither hath it 
23 been seenin Teman. The sons also of 
Agar that seek understanding, which 
are in the land, the merchants of Mer- 
ran and Teman, and the authors of 
fables, and the searchers out of under- 
standing; none of these have known 
the way of wisdom, or remembered 
24 her paths. O Israel, how great is the 
house of God! and how large is the 
25 place of his possession! great, and 
hath none end; high,and unmeasur- 
26 able. There were the giants born that 
were famous of old, great of stature, 
27 andexpertin war. These did not God 
choose, neither gave he the way of 
28 knowledge unto them: so they per- 
ished, because they had no ? wisdom, 
they perished through their own fool- 
29ishness. Who hath gone up into 
heaven, and taken her, and brought 
30 her down from the clouds? Who hath 
gone over the sea, and found her, and 
31 will bring her for choice gold? There 
is none that knoweth her way, nor 
any that comprehendeth her path. 
32 But he that knoweth all things know- 
eth her, he found her out with his 
understanding: he that prepared the 





earth for evermore hath filled it with 
33 fourfooted beasts: he that sendeth 
forth the light, and it goeth; he called 
34 it, and it obeyed him with fear: and 


the stars shined in their watches, and. 


were glad: when he called them, they 
said, Here we be; they shined with 
gladness unto him that made them. 

35 This is our God, and there shall none 
other be accounted of in comparison 

36 of him. He hath found out all the 
way of knowledge, and hath given it 
unto Jacob his servant, and to Israel 

37 that is beloved of him. Afterward 
did she appear upon earth, and was 
conversant with men. 

4 This is the book of the command- 
ments of God, and the law that en- 
dureth for ever: all they that hold it 
fast are appointed to life; but such 

2 as leave it shall die. Turn thee, O Ja- 
cob, and take hold of it: walk towards 
her shining in the presence of the light 

3 thereof. Give not thy glory to an- 
other, nor the things that are profita- 
ble unto thee to a strange nation, 

4 OIsrael, happy are we: for the things 
that are pleasing to God are made 

5 known unto us. Be of good cheer, 
my people, the memorial of Israel. 

6 Ye were sold to the nations, but not 
for destruction: because ye moved 
God to wrath, ye were delivered unto 

7 your adversaries. For ye provoked 
him that made you by sacrificing unto 

8 demons, and not to God. Ye forgat 
the everlasting God, that brought you 
up; ye grieved also Jerusalem, that 

9nursed you. For she saw the wrath 
that is come upon you from God, and 
said, Hearken, ye women that dwell 
about Sion: for God hath brought 

10 upon me great mourning; for I have 
seen the captivity of my sons and 
daughters, which the Everlasting hath 

11 brought uponthem. For with joy did 
T nourish them; but sent them away 

12 with weeping and mourning. Let no 
man rejoice over me, a widow, and 
forsaken of many: for the sins of my 
children am I left desolate ; because 
they turned aside from the law of 

13 God, and had no regard to his statutes, 
neither walked they in the ways of 

' God’s commandments, nor trod in the 
paths of discipline in his righteous- 

14ness. Let them that dwell about Sion 


come, and remember ye the captivity | 


of my sons and daughters, which the 
Everlasting hath brought upon them. 
15 For he hath brought a nation upon 
them from far, a shameless nation, 
and of a strange language, ® who 


neither reverenced old man, nor pitied | ye 


16 child. And they have carried away 
the dear beloved sons of the widow, 
and left her that was alone desolate 

17 of her daughters. But I, what can I 

18 help you? For he that brought these 
plagues upon you will deliver you 


122 














5. 2. 


BARUCH. 


6. 11. 











3 Gr. 
demons. 





19 from the hand of your enemies. Go 
your way, Omy children, go your way: 
20 for I am left desolate. I have put off 
the garment of peace, and put upon 
me the sackcloth of my petition: I 
will ery unto the Everlasting as long 
2iasI live. Be of good cheer,O my 
children, cry unto God, and he shall 
deliver you from the power and hand 
22 of the enemies. For I have trusted 
in the Everlasting, that he will save 
you; and joy is come unto me from 
the Holy One, because of the mercy 
which shall soon come unto you ! from 
23 the Everlasting your Saviour. For I 
sent you out with mourning and weep- 
ing: but God will give you to me 
again with joy and gladness for ever. 
24 For like as now they that dwell about 
Sion have seen. your captivity: so 
shall they see shortly your salvation 
from? our God, which shall come upon 
you with great glory, and brightness 
25 of the Everlasting. My children, suf- 
fer patiently the wrath that is come 
upon you from God: for thine enemy 
hath persecuted thee; but shortly 
thou shalt see his destruction, and 
26 shalt tread upon their necks. My 
delicate ones have gone rough ways; 
they were taken away as a flock 
27 carried off by the enemies. Be of 
good cheer,O my children, and cry 
unto God: for ye shall be remember- 
ed of him that hath brought these 
28 things upon you. For as it was your 
mind to go astray from God: so, re- 
turn and seek him ten times more. 
29 For he that brought these plagues 
upon you shall bring you everlasting 
30 joy again with your salvation. Be of 
good cheer, O Jerusalem: for he that 
called thee by name will comfort thee. 
31 Miserable are they that afflicted thee, 
32 and rejoiced at thy fall. Miserable 
are the cities which thy children 
served: miserable is she that received 
33 thy sons. For as she rejoiced at thy 
fall, and was glad of thy ruin: so shall 
she be grieved for her own desolation. 
34 And I will take away her exultation 
in her great multitude, and her boast- 
ing shall be turned into mourning. 
35 For fire shall come upon her from the 
Everlasting, long to endure; and she 
shall be inhabited of *devils for a 


great time. 
36 O Jerusalem, look about thee toward 
the east, and behold the joy that 
37 cometh unto thee from God. Lo, thy 
sons come, whom thou sentest away, 
they come gathered together from the 
east to the west at the word of the 
Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of 
5 God. Put off, O Jerusalem, the gar- 
ment of thy mourning and affliction, 
and put on the comeliness of the glory 
2 that cometh from God for ever. Cast 
about thee the robe of the righteous- 
ness which cometh from God; set a 





diadem on thine head of the glory of 
3the Everlasting. For God will shew 
thy brightness unto every region un- 
4der heaven. For thy name shall be 
ealled of God for ever The peace of 
righteousness, and The glory of godli- 
5ness. Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand 
upon the height, and look about thee 
toward the east, and behold thy chil- 
dren gathered from the going down of 
the sun unto the rising thereof at the 
word of the Holy One, rejoicing that 
6 God hath remembered them. For 
they went from thee on foot, being 
led away of their enemies: but God 
bringeth them in unto thee borne on 
high with glory, * as on a royal throne. 


7 For God hath appointed that every | ;,. 


high mountain, and the everlasting 
hills, should be made low, and the 


valleys filled up, to make plain the | kingd 


ground, that Israel may go safely in 

8 the glory of God. Moreover the woods 
and every sweet-smelling tree have 
overshadowed Israel by the command- 

9ment of God. For God shall lead 
Israel with joy in the light of his glory 
with the mercy and righteousness that 
cometh from him. 


THE EPISTLE OF JEREMY. 


6 A copy of an epistle, which Jeremy 
sent unto them which were to be led 
captives into Babylon by the king of 
the Babylonians, to certify them, as it 
was commanded him of God. 

2 Because of the sins which ye have 
committed before God, ye shall be led 
away captives into Babylon by Nabu- 
chodonosor king of the Babylonians. 

38So when ye be come unto Babylon, 
ye shall remain there many years, 
and for a long season, even for seven 
generations: and after that I will 
bring you out peaceably from thence. 

4 But now shall ye see in Babylon gods 
of silver, and of gold, and of wood, 
borne upon shoulders, which cause the 

5 nations to fear. Beware therefore that 
ye in no wise become like unto the 
strangers, neither let fear take hold 
upon you because of them, when ye 
see the multitude before them and 

6 behind them, worshipping them. But 
say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we 

7 must worship thee. For mine angel 
is with you, ‘and I myself do care 

8for your *souls. For their tongue is 
polished by the workman, and they 
themselves are overlaid with gold and 
with silver; yet are they but false, and 

9 cannot speak. And taking gold, as it 
were for a virgin that loveth to go 
gay, they make crowns for the heads 

10 of their gods: and sometimes also the 
priests convey from their gods gold 
and silver, and bestow it upon them- 

11 selves; and will even give thereof to 


123 


5 Or, 
and he 
careth 


6 Or, 
lives 














BARUCH. 


6. 51. 








‘19 carried off by robbers. 





the common harlots: and they deck 
them as men with garments, even the 
gods of silver, and gods of gold, and of 
12 wood. Yet cannot these gods save 
themselves from rust and moths, 
though they be covered with purple 
13 raiment. They wipe their faces be- 
cause of the dust of the temple, which 
14is thick upon them. And he that 
cannot put to death one that offend- 
eth against him holdeth a sceptre, as 
though he were judge of a country. 
15 He hath also a dagger in his right 
hand, and an axe: but cannot deliver 
16 himself from war and robbers. Where- 
by they are known not to be gods: 
17 therefore fear them not. For like as 
a vessel that a man useth is nothing 
worth when it is broken; even so it 
-is with their gods: when they be set 
up in the temples their eyes be full of 
dust through: the feet of them that 
18 come in. And as the courts are made 
sure on every side upon him that 
offendeth the king,as being committed 

to suffer death; even so the priests 
make fast their temples with doors, 
with locks, and bars, Iest they be 
They light 
them candles, yea, more than for 
themselves, whereof they cannot see 
20one. They are as one of the beams 
of the temple; and men say their 
hearts are eaten out, when things 
creeping out of the earth devour both 
them and their raiment: they feel 
21it not when their faces are blacked 
through the smoke that cometh out 


22 of the temple: upon their bodies and 


heads alight bats, swallows, and birds; 
and in like manner the cats also. 
23 Whereby ye may know that they are 
no gods: therefore fear them not. 
24 Notwithstanding the gold wherewith 
they are beset to make them beautiful, 
except one wipe off the rust, they will 
not shine: for not even when they 
25 were molten did they feel it. Things 
wherein there is no breath are bought 
26 at any cost. Having no feet, they are 


borne upon shoulders, whereby they 


declare unto men that they be nothing 
27 worth. They also that serve them 
are ashamed: for if they fall to the 
ground at any time, they cannot rise 
up again of themselves: neither, if 
one set them upright, can they move 
of themselves: neither, if they be set 
awry, can they make themselves 
straight: but the offerings are set 
before them, as if they were dead 
28men. And the things that are sacri- 
ficed unto them, their priests sell and 
spend; and in like manner their wives 
also lay up part thereof in salt; but 
unto the poor and to the impotent will 
29 they give nothing thereof. The men- 
struous woman and the woman in 
childbed touch their sacrifices : know- 
ing therefore by these things that they 





80 are no gods, fear them not. For how 


can they be called gods? because 


women set meat before the gods of 
31 silver, gold, and wood. And in their 
temples the priests ‘sit on seats, 
having their clothes rent, and their 
heads and beards shaven, and nothing 
32 upon their heads. They roar and ery 
before their gods, as men do at the 
33 feast when one is dead. The priests 
also take off garments from them, and 

- clothe their wives and children withal. 
34 Whether it be evil that one doeth unto 
them, or good, they are not able to 
recompense it: they can neither set 
35 up a king, nor put him down. In like 
manner, they can neither give riches 
nor money: though a man make a 
vow unto them, and keep it not, they 
36 will never exact it. They can save no 
- man from death, neither deliver the 
37 weak from the mighty. They cannot 
restore a blind man to his sight, nor 
38 deliver any that is in distress. They 
can shew no mercy to the widow, nor 
39 do good to the fatherless. They are 
like the stones that be hewn out of 
the mountain, these gods of wood, and 
that are overlaid with gold and with 
silver: they that minister unto them 
40 shall be confounded. How should a 
man then think or say that they are 
gods, when even the Chaldeans them- 
41 selves dishonour them? Whoif they 
shallsee one dumb that cannot speak, 
they bring him, and intreat him to 
call upon Bel, as though he were able 
42 to understand. Yet they cannot per- 
ceive this themselves, and forsake 
them: for they have no understand- 
43 ing. The women also with cords about 
them sit in the ways, burning bran 
for incense: but if any of them, drawn 
by some that passeth by, lie with him, 
she reproacheth her fellow, that she 
was not thought as worthy as herself, 
44 nor her cord broken. Whatsoever is 
done among them is false: how should 

a man then think or say that they 
45 are gods? They are fashioned by 
carpenters and goldsmiths: they can 
be nothing else than the workmen 
46 willhavethemtobe. And they them- 
selves that fashioned them can never 
continue long; how then should the 
things that are fashioned by them? 
47 For they have left lies and reproaches 
48 to them that come after. For when 
there cometh any war or plague upon 
them, the priests consult with them- 
selves, where they may be hidden with 
49them. How then cannot men under- 
stand that they be no gods, which can 
neither save themselves from war, 
50 nor from plague? For seeing they be 
but of wood, and overlaid with gold 
and with silver, it shall be known 
51 hereafter that they are false: and it 
shall be manifest to all nations and 
kings that they are no gods, but the 


124 

















SONG OF THE THREE CHILDREN. 


1. 8. 





: 


“ 


& 


: 


i 





works of men’s hands, and that there 
52is no work of God in them. Who 
then may not know that they are 
53no gods? For neither can they set 
‘up a king in a land, nor give rain 
54unto men. Neither can they judge 
their own cause, nor + redress a wrong, 
being unable: for they are as crows 


‘BB between heavenand earth. Foreven 


when fire falleth upon the house of 
gods of wood, or overlaid with gold or 
with silver, their priests will flee away, 
and escape, but they themselves shall 
56 be burnt asunder like beams. More- 
over they cannot withstand any king 
or enemies : how should a man then 
allow or think that they be gods? 
57 Neither are those gods of wood, and 
overlaid with silver or with gold, able 
to escape either from thieves or rob- 
58 bers. Whose gold, and silver, and 
‘garments wherewith they are clothed, 
they that are strong will take from 
them, and go away withal: neither 
shall they be able to help themselves. 
59 Therefore it is better to be a king 
that sheweth his manhood, or else a 
vessel in a house profitable for that 
whereof the owner shall have need, 
than such false gods; or even a door 
in a house, to keep the things safe 
that be therein, than such false gods; 
or a pillar of wood in a palace, than 
60 such false gods. For sun, and moon, 
and stars, being bright and sent to do 
61 their offices, are obedient. Likewise 
also the lightning when it glittereth 
is fair to see; and after the same 
manner the wind also bloweth in 





62every country. And when God com- 
mandeth the clouds to go over the 
whole world, they do as they are 
63 bidden. And the fire sent from above 
to consume mountains and woods do- 
eth as it is commanded: but these are 
to be likened unto them neither in 
64 shew nor power. Wherefore a man 
should neither think nor say that they 
are gods, seeing they are able neither 
to judge causes, nor to do good unto 
65men. Knowing therefore that they 
66 are no gods, fear them not. For they 
can neither curse nor bless kings: 
67 neither can they shew signs in the 
heavens among the nations, nor shine 
as the sun, nor give lightas the moon. 
68 The beasts are better than they: for 
they can get under a covert, and help 
69 themselves. In no wise then is it 
manifest unto us that they are gods: 
70 therefore fear them not. For as a 
searecrow in a garden of cucumbers 
that keepeth nothing, so are their 
gods of wood, and overlaid with gold 
71and with silver. Likewise also their 
gods of wood, and overlaid with gold 
and with silver, are like to a white 
thorn in an orchard, that every bird 
sitteth upon ; as also to a dead body, 
72 that is east forth into the dark. And 
ye shall know them to be no gods by 
the ? bright purple that rotteth upon 
them : and they themselves afterward 
shall be consumed, and shall be a re- 
73 proach in the country. Better there- 
fore is the just man that hath none 
idols: for he shall be far from re- 
proach. © 





THE SONG OF THE 


THREE HOLY CHILDREN, 


Which followeth in the third Chapter of DANIEL after this place, —/ell down 
bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace, ¢- Verse 23. That which 
followeth is not in the Hebrew, to wit, And they walked — unto these words, 


Then Nebuchadnezzar — verse 24. 


1 Awnpthey walked in the midst of the 
fire, praising God, and blessing the 
2 Lord. Then Azarias stood,and prayed 
on this manner; and opening his 
mouth in the midst of the fire said, 
3 Blessed art thou, O Lord, thou God of 
our fathers, ‘and worthy to be praised; 
andthy name isglorified for evermore: 
4 for thou art righteous in all the things 
that thou hast done: yea, true are all 
thy works, and thy ways are right, 
5 and all thy judgements truth. - In all 
the things that thou hast brought 
upon us, and upon the holy city of 





our fathers, even Jerusalem, thou hast 
executed true judgements: for accord- 
ing to truth and justice hast thou 
brought all these things upon us be- 
6 cause of our sins. For we have sinned 
and committed iniquity, in departing 
7from thee. In all things have we 
trespassed, and not obeyed thy com- 
mandments, nor kept them,. neither 
done as thou hast commanded us, that 
8 it might go well with us. Wherefore 
all that thou hast brought upon us, 
and everything that thou hast done 
to us, thou hast done in true judge- 


125 





2 Gr. 














1, 29. 





SONG OF THE THREE CHILDREN. 


1. 61. 








9ment., And thoudidst deliver us into 
the hands of lawless. enemies, and 
most hateful forsakers of God, and to 
an unjust king, and_the most wicked 


10 in all the world.—-And now we cannot. 


open our mouth ; shame and reproach 
have befallen thy servants, and them 

11 that worship thee. Deliver us not up 
utterly, for thy name’s sake, neither 

12 disannul thou thy covenant: and cause 
not thy merey to depart from us, for 
the sake of Abraham that is beloved 
of thee, and for the sake of Isaac thy 

13 servant, and Israel thy holy one; to 
whom thou didst promise, that thou 
wouldest multiply their seed as the 
stars of heaven, and as the sand that 

14 is upon the sea shore. For we, O Lord, 
are become less than any nation, and 
be kept under this day in all the world 

15 because of our sins. Neitheris there 
at this time prince, or prophet, or 
leader, or burnt offering, or sacrifice, 
or oblation, or incense, or place to 
offer before thee, and to find mercy. 

16 Nevertheless in a contrite heart and 
a humble spirit let us be accepted; 

17 like as in the burnt offerings of rams 
and bullocks, and like as in ten thou- 
sands of fat lambs; so let our sacrifice 
be in thy sight this day, and grant 
that we may wholly go after thee, for 
they shall not be ashamed that put 

18 their trust in thee. And now we 
follow thee with all our heart, we fear 

19 thee, and seek thy face. Put us not 
to shame: but deal with us after thy 
kindness, and according to the multi- 

20tude of thy mercy. Deliver us also 
according to thy marvellous works, 
and give glory to thy name, O Lord: 
and let all them that do thy servants 

21 hurt be confounded; and let them be 
ashamed of all their +power and 
might, and let their strength be bro- 

22 ken; and let them know that thou art 
the Lord, the only God, and glorious 
over the whole world. 

23 And the king’s servants, that put 
them in, ceased not to make the fur- 
nace hot with naphtha, pitch, tow, and 

24 small wood ; so that the flame stream- 
ed forth above the furnace forty and 

25 nine cubits. And it spread, and 
burned those Chaldeans whom it 

26 found about the furnace. But the 
angel of the Lord came down into 
the. furnace together with Azarias 
and his fellows, and he smote the 
fiame of the fire out of the furnace; 

27.and made the midst of the furnace 
as it had been a moist whistling 
wind, so that the fire touched them 
not at all, neither hurt nor troubled 
them. 

28 Then the three, as out of one mouth, 
praised, and glorified, and blessed God 

29in the furnace, saying, Blessed art 
thou, O Lord, thou God of our fathers : 
and to be praised and exalted above 





30 all for ever. And blessed is thy 
glorious and holy name: and to be 
praised and exalted above all for 

3lever. Blessed art thou in the temple 
of thine holy glory : and to be praised 
and glorified above all for ever. 

32 Blessed art thou that beholdest the 
depths, and sittest upon the cherubim : 
and to be praised jand exalted above 

33 all for ever. Blessed art thou on the 
throne of thy kingdom: and to be 
praised and 2? extolled above all for 

3d4ever. Blessed art thou in the firma- 
ment of heaven: and to be praised 
and glorified for ever. 7: 

35 Oall ye works of the Lord, bless ye 
the Lord: praise and exalt him above 

36 all for ever. O ye heavens, bless ye 
the Lord: praise and exalt him above 

37 all for ever. O yeangels of the Lord, 
bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt 

38 him above all for ever. Oallye waters 
that be above the heaven, bless ye 
the Lord: praise and exalt him above 

39 all for ever. O all *ye powers of the 
Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and 

40 exalt him above all forever. O ye 
sun and moon, bless ye the Lord: 
praise and exalt him above all for ever. 

410 ye stars of heaven, bless ye the 
Lord: praise and exalt him above 

42 all for ever. O every shower and 
dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and 

43 exalt him above all for ever. O all ye 
winds, bless ye the Lord: praise and 

44 exalt him above all for ever. Oye fire 
and heat, bless ye the Lord: praise 

47 and exalt him above all for ever.* 5O 
ye nights and days, bless ye the Lord: 
praise and exalt him above all for ever. 

48 O ye light and darkness, bless ye the 
Lord: praise and exalt him above all 


2 An- 
other 
read- 
ing is, 
exalted. 


3 An- 
other 
reading 
is, the 
host. 


for ever. Oye cold and heat, bless ye | this 


the Lord: praise and exalt him above 
50 all for ever. ®Oye frost and snow, 
bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt 
51 him above all for ever. O ye lightnings 
and clouds, bless ye the Lord: praise 
52 and exalt him above all for eyer. O let 
the earth bless the Lord: let it praise 
53 and exalt him above all for ever. O ye 
mountains and hills, bless ye the Lord: 
praise and exalt him above all for ever. 
54 O all ye things that grow on the earth, 
bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt 
56 him above all for ever. 7O sea and 
rivers, bless ye the Lord: praise and 
55 exalt him above all for ever. O ye 
fountains, bless ye the Lord : praise 
57 and exalt him above all for ever. Oye 
whales, and all that move in the wa- 
ters, bless ye the Lord: praise and 
58 exalt him above allfor ever. O all ye 
fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord: 
praise and exalt him above. all for 
59ever. O all ye beasts and cattle, 
bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt 
60 him above all for ever. Oye children 
of men, bless ye the Lord: praise and 
61 exalt him above all for ever. * O let 


126 


























HISTORY OF SUSANNA. 





| 68 for ever. 





_ Israel bless the Lord: praise and 
62exalt him above all for ever. O ye 
priests tof the Lord, bless ye the 
Lord: praise. and exalt him above all 
_O ye servants tof the Lord, 
bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt 
64 him above all for ever. O ye spirits 
ao souls of the righteous, bless ye the 
Lord; praise and exalt him above all 
65 for ever. O ye that are holy and 
humble of heart, bless ye the Lord: 
praise and exalt him above all for ever. 
GGRrADanizs, Azarias, and Misael, bless 





ye the Lord: praise and exalt him 
above all for ever : for he hath rescued 
us from * hell, and saved us from the 
hand of death: he hath delivered us 
out of the midst of the furnace and 
burning flame, even out of the midst 

67 of the fire hath he delivered us. O 
give thanks unto the Lord, for he is 
good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 

68 O all ye that worship the Lord, bless 
the God of gods, praise him, and give 
him thanks: for his merey endureth 
for ever. 





THE 


HISTORY OF SUSANNA, 


Set RBRRE from the beginning of DANIEL, because it is not in the Hebrew, as 
neither the Narration of Bel and the Dragon. 





1. Tere dwelt a manin Babylon, and 
2 his name was Joakim: and ‘he took a 
wife, whose name was Susanna, the 
daughter of Helkias, a very fair wo- 
man, and one that feared the Lord. 
3 Her parents also were righteous, and 
taught their daughter according to the 
4law of Moses: Now Joakim was a 
great rich man, and had a fair garden 
joining unto his house: and to him 
resorted the Jews; because he was 
5 more honourable than all others. And 


the same year there were appointed. 


two of the ancients of the people to 
be judges, such as the Lord spake of, 
that wickedness came from Babylon 
from ancient judges, who were ac- 

6 counted to govern the people. These 
kept much at Joakim’s house : and all 
that had any suits in law came unto 

7 them. Now when the people departed 
away at noon, Susanna went into her 
S8husband’s garden to walk. And the 
two elders beheld her going in every 
day, and walking; and they were in- 

9 flamed with love for her. And they 
perverted their own mind, and turned 
away their eyes, that they might not 
look unto heaven, nor remember just 
10 judgements. And albeit they both 
were wounded with her love, yet 
durst not one shew another his grief. 
11 For they were ashamed to declare 
their lust, that they desired to have to 
12.do with her. Yet they watched jeal- 
ously from day to day to see her. 
13 And the one said to the other, Let us 
14 now go home: foritis dinnertime. So 
when they were gone out, they parted 
the one from the other, and turning 
back again they came to the same 
place ; and after that they had asked 





one another the cause, they acknow- 
ledged their lust : and then appointed 
they a time both together, when they 
15 might find her alone. And it fell out, 
as they watched a fit day, she went in 
as aforetime with two maids only, and 
she was desirous to wash herself in 
16 the garden: forit was hot. And there 
was nobody there save the two elders, 
that had hid themselves, and watched 
17 her. Then she said to her maids, Bring 
me oil and washing balls, and shut the 
garden doors, that I may wash me. 
18 And they did as she bade them, and 
shut the garden doors, and went out 
themselves at the side doors to fetch 
the things that she had commanded 
them: and they saw not the elders, 
19 because they were hid: Now when the 
maids were gone forth, the two elders 
20 rose up, and ran unto her, saying, Be- 
hold, the garden doors are shut, that 
no man ¢an see us, and we are in love 
with thee ; therefore consent unto us, 
2iand lie with us. If thou wilt not, we 
will bear witness against thee, that a 
young man was with thee: and there- 
fore thou didst send away thy maids 
22from thee. Then Susanna sighed, and 
said, I am straitened on every side: 
for if I do this thing, it is death unto 
me: and if I do it not, I cannot escape 
23 your hands. It is better for me to fall 
into your hands, and not do it, than 
24 to sin in the sight of the Lord. With 
that Susanna cried with a loud voice: 
and the two elders cried out against 
25her. Thenran the one, and opened the 
26 garden doors. So when the servants 
of the house heard the cry in the gar- 
den, they rushed in at the side door, to 
27 see what had befallen her. But when 


127 




















HISTORY OF SUSANNA. 











the elders had told their tale, the ser- 
vants were greatly ashamed: for there 
was never such a report made of 
28 Susanna. And it came to pass on the 
morrow, when the people assembled 
to her husband Joakim, the two elders 
came full of their wicked intentagainst 
29 Susanna to put her to death; and said 
before the people, Send for Susanna, 
the daughter of Helkias, Joakim’s 
30 wife. So they sent;and she came with 
her father and mother, her children, 
31land all her kindred. Now Susanna 
was a very delicate woman, and 
32 beauteous to behold. And these 
wicked men commanded her to be un- 
veiled, (for she was veiled) that they 
33 might be filled with her beauty. There- 
fore her friends and all that saw her 
34 wept. Then the two elders stood up in 
the midst of the people, and laid their 
35 hands upon her head. And she weep- 
ing looked up toward heaven : for her 
36 heart trusted in the Lord. And the 
elders said, As we walked in the garden 
alone, this woman came in with two 
maids, and shut the garden doors, and 
37 sent the maids away. Then a young 
man, who there was hid, came unto 
38 her, and lay with her. And we, being 
in a corner of the garden, saw this 
39 wickedness, and ran unto them. And 
when we saw them together, the man 
we could not hold: for he was stronger 
than we, and opened the doors, and 
40 leaped out. But having taken this 
woman, we asked who the young man 
was, but she would not tell us: these 
41 things do we testify. Then the as- 
sembly believed them, as those that 
were elders of the people and judges: 
42 so they condemned her to death. Then 
Susanna cried out with a loud voice, 
and said, O everlasting God, that 
knowest the secrets, that knowest all 
43 things before they be: thou knowest 
that they have borne false witness 
against me, and, behold, I must die; 
whereas I never did such things as 
these men have maliciously invented 
44 against me. And the Lord heard her 
45 voice. Therefore when she was led 
away to be put to death, God raised 
up the holy spirit of a young youth, 
46 whose name was Daniel: and he cried 
with a loud voice, I am clear from the 
47 blood of this woman. Then all the 
people turned them toward him, and 
said, What mean these words that 
48 thou hast spoken? So he standing in 
the midst of them said, Are ye such 
fools, ye sons of Israel, that without 
examination or knowledge of the truth 
ye have condemned a daughter of 





49 Israel? Return again to the place of 
judgement : for these have borne false 
50 witness against her. Wherefore all 
the people turned again in haste, and 
the elders said unto him, Come, sit 
down among us, and shew it us, seeing 
God hath given thee the honour of an 
5lelder. Then said Daniel unto them, 
Put them asunder one far from an- 
52 other, and I will examine them. So 
when they were put asunder one from 
another, he called one of them, and 
said unto him, O thou that art waxen 
old in wickedness, now are thy sins 
come home to thee which thou hast 
53 committed aforetime, in pronouncing 
unjust judgement, and condemning 
the innocent, and letting the guilty go 
free; albeit the Lord saith, The inno- 
cent and righteous shalt thou not slay. 
54 Now then, if thou sawest her, tell me, 
Under what tree sawest thou them 
companying together? Who answered, 
55 Under a mastick tree. And Daniel 
said, Right well hast thou lied against 
thine own head; for even now the 
angel of God hath received the sen- 
tence of God and shall cut thee in 
56 two. So he put him aside, and com- 
manded to bring ‘the other, and said 
unto him, O thou seed of Canaan, and 
not of Judah, beauty hath deceived 
thee, and lust hath perverted thine 
57 heart. Thus have ye dealt with the 
daughters of Israel, and they for fear 
companied with you: but the daughter 
of Judah would not abide your wicked- 
58 ness. Now therefore tell me, Under 
what tree didst thou take them com- 
panying together? Who answered, 
59 Under a holm tree. Then said Daniel 
unto him, Right well hast thou also 
lied against thine own head: for the 
angel of God waiteth with the sword 
to cut thee in two, that he may de- 
60 stroy you. With that all the assembly 
cried out with a loud voice, and bless- 
ed God, who saveth them that hope in 
61him. And they arose against the two 
elders, for Daniel had convicted them 
of false witness out of their own 
62 mouth: and-aceording to the law of 
Moses they did unto them in such 
sort as they maliciously intended to 
do to their neighbour: and they put 
them to death, and the innocent blood 
63 was saved the same day. Therefore 
Helkias and his wife praised God for 
their daughter Susanna, with Joakim 
her husband, and all the kindred, be- 
cause there was no dishonesty found 
64in her. And from that day forth was 
Daniel had in great reputation in the 
sight of the people. 


128 























“BEL AND THE DRAGON. 


1 Anp king Astyages was gathered to 
his fathers, and s the Persian 
2received his kingdom. And Daniel 
lived with the king, and was honoured 


- Sabove all his friends. Now the Baby- 


lonians had an idol, called Bel, and 
there were spent upon him every day 
twelve great measures of fine flour, 
and forty sheep, and six firkins of 
4wine. And the king did honour to it, 
and went daily to worship it: but 
Daniel worshipped his own God. 
And the king said unto him, Why 

5 dost thou not worship Bel? And he 
said, Because I may not do honour 
to idols made with hands, but to the 
living God, who hath created the 
heaven and the earth, and hath sov- 
6ereignty over all flesh. Then said 
the king unto him, Thinkest thou not 
that Bel is a living god? or seest thou 
not how much he eateth and drinketh 

7 every day? Then Daniel laughed, and 
said, O king, be not deceived: for this 

is but clay within, and brass without, 
and did never eat or drink anything. 

8 So the king was wroth, and called for 
his priests, and said unto them, If ye 
tell me not who this is that devoureth 

9 these expenses, ye shall die. But if 
ye can shew me that Bel devoureth 
them, then Daniel shall die: for he 
hath spoken blasphemy against Bel. 
And Daniel said unto the king, Let it 
10.be according to thy word. Now the 
priests of Bel were threescore and ten, 
beside their wives and children. And 
the king went with Daniel into the 
11 temple of Bel. So Bel’s priests said, 
Lo, we will get us out: but thou, O 
king, set on the meat, and mingle the 
wine and set it forth, and shut the 
door fast, and seal it with thine own 
12 signet ; and when thou comest in the 
morning, if thou find not that Bel hath 
eaten. up all, we will suffer death: 
or else Daniel, that speaketh falsely 
13 against us. And they little regarded 
it: for under the table they had made 

a privy entrance, whereby they en- 
tered in continually, and consumed 
14 those things. And it came to pass, 
when they were gone forth, the king 
set the meat before Bel. Now Daniel 
had commanded his servants to bring 
ashes, and they strewed all the temple 
with them in the presence of the king 
alone: then went they out, and shut 
the door, and sealed it with the king’s 
15 signet, and so departed. Now in the 
night came the priests with their 
wives and children, as they were wont 





16 to do, and did eat and drink up all. In 
+ the morning betime the king arose, 
17 and Daniel with him. And the king 
said, Daniel, are the seals whole? 
And he said, Yea, O king, they be 
18 whole. And as soon as he had opened 
the door, the king looked upon the 
table, and cried with a loud voice, 
Great art thou, O Bel, and with thee 
19is no deceit at all. Then laughed 
Daniel, and held the king that he 
should not go in, and said, Behold 
now the pavement, and mark well 
20 whose footsteps are these. And the 
king said, I see the footsteps of men, 
women, and children. And then the 
21 king was angry, and took the priests 
with their wives and children, who 
shewed him the privy doors, where 
they came in, and consumed such 
22 things as were upon the table. There- 
fore the king slew them, and delivered 
Bel into Daniel’s power, who over- 
threw him and his temple. 
23 And in that same place there was a 
great 1 dragon, which they of Babylon 
24 worshipped. And the king said unto 
Daniel, Wilt thou also say that this 
is of brass? lo, he liveth, and eateth 
and. drinketh ; thou canst not say that 
he is no living god: therefore worship 
25 him. Then said Daniel, I will wor- 
ship the Lord my God: for he is a 
26 living God. But give me leave, O 
king, and I shall slay this dragon 
without sword or staff. The king 
27 said, I give thee leave. Then Daniel 
took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did 
seethe them together, and made lumps 
thereof: this he put in the dragon’s 
mouth, so the dragon did eat and 
burst in sunder: and Daniel said, Lo, 
28 these are the gods ye worship. When 
they of Babylon heard that, they 
took great indignation, and conspired 
against the king, saying, The king is 
become a Jew, and he hath pulled 
down Bel, and slain the dragon, and 
29 put the priests to the sword. So they 
came to the king, and said, Deliver 
us Daniel, or else we will destroy thee 
30 and thine house. Now when the king 
saw that they pressed him sore, being 
constrained, the king delivered Dan- 
31liel unto them: who cast him into 
the lions’ den: where he was six days. 
32 And in the den there were seven 
lions, and they had given them every 
day two carcases, and two sheep: 
which then were not given to them, to 
the intent they might devour Daniel. 
33 Now there was in Jewry the prophet 


129 E 





1 Or, 




















THE PRAYER 


OF MANASSES. 





1 Gr. 





1 Habakkuk, who had made pottage, 
and had broken bread into a bowl, 
and was going into the field, for to 
34 bring it to the reapers. But the angel 
of the Lord said unto Habakkuk, Go 
earry the dinner that thou hast into 
Babylon unto Daniel, in the lions’ den. 
35 And Habakkuk said, Lord, I never 
saw Babylon; neither do I know 
36 where the den is. Then the angel of 
the Lord took him by the crown, and 
lifted him up by the hair of his head, 
and with the blast of his breath set 
37 him in Babylon over the den. And 
Habakkuk cried, saying, O Daniel, 
Daniel, take the dinner which God 
38 hath sent thee. And Daniel said, 





Thou hast remembered me, O God: 
neither hast thou forsaken them that 
39 love thee. So Daniel arose, and did 
eat: and the angel of God set Habak- 
kuk in his own place again immedi- 
40 ately. Upon the seventh day the 
king came to bewail Daniel: and 
when he came to the den, he looked 
in, and, behold, Daniel was sitting. 
41 Then cried the king with a loud voice, 
saying, Great art thou, O Lord, thou 
God of Daniel, and there is none other 
42 beside thee. And he drew him out, 
and cast those that were the cause of 
his destruction into the den: and they 
were devoured in a moment before 
his face. 





THE 


PRAYER OF MANASSES 


KING OF JUDAH, 


WHEN HE WAS HOLDEN CAPTIVE IN BABYLON. 


O Lorp Almighty, that art in heaven, 
thou God of our fathers, of Abraham, 
and Isaac, and Jacob, and of their right- 
eous seed; who hast made heaven and 
earth, with all the tornament thereof; 
who hast bound the sea by the word of 
thy commandment; who hast shut up 
the deep, and sealed it by thy terrible 
and glorious name ; whom all things fear, 
yea, tremble before thy power; for the 
majesty of thy glory cannot be borne, 
and the anger of thy threatening toward 
sinners is importable: thy merciful pro- 
mise is unmeasunable and unsearchable ; 
for thou art the Lord Most High, of great 
compassion, longsuffering and abundant 
in mercy, and repentest ? of bringing evils 
upon men. * Thou, O Lord, according to 
thy great goodness hast promised repent- 
ance and forgiveness to them that have 
sinned against thee: and of thine infinite 
mercies hast appointed repentance unto 
sinners, that they may be saved. Thou 
therefore, O Lord, that art the God of 
the just, hast not appointed repentance 
to the just, to Abraham, and Isaae, and 
Jacob, which have not sinned against 
thee ; but thou hast appointed repentance 
unto me that am a sinner: for I have 
sinned above the number of the sands of 





the sea. My transgressions are multi- 
plied, *O Lord: my transgressions are 
multiplied, and I am not worthy to be- 
hold and see the height of heaven for the 
multitude of mine iniquities. Iam bowed 
down with many iron bands, that I can- 
not lift up mine head * by reason of my 
sins, neither have I any respite: for I 
have provoked thy wrath, and done that 


which is evil before thee: ® I did not thy | 7eason 


will, neither kept I thy commandments: 
I have set up abominations, and have 
multiplied ‘detestable things. Now 
therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, 
beseeching thee of grace. I have sinned, 
O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknow- 
ledge mine iniquities : but, I humbly be- 
seech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive 
me,and destroy me not with mine iniqui- 
ties. Be not angry with me for ever, by 
reserving evil for me; neither condemn 
me into the lower parts of the earth. 
For thou,*O Lord, art the God of them 
that repent; and in me thou wilt shew 
all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, 
that am unworthy, according to thy great 
mercy. And I will praise thee for ever 
all the days of my life: for all the host of 
heaven doth sing thy praise, and thine is 
the glory for ever and ever. Amen. 


130 














i 








THE FIRST BOOK OF THE 


MACCABEES. 


1 AND it came to pass, after that Alex- 
ander the Macedonian, the son of 
Philip, who came out of the land of 
Chittim, and smote Darius king of the 

' Persians and Medes, it came to pass, 
after he had smitten him, that he 
reigned in his stead, in former time, 

2over! Greece. And he fought many 
battles, and won many strongholds, 

3 and slew the kings of the earth, and 
went through to the ends of the earth, 
and took spoils of a multitude of na- 
tions. And the earth was quiet before 
‘him, and he was exalted, and his heart 

4was lifted up, and he gathered to- 
gether an exceeding strong host, and 
ruled over countries and nations and 
principalities, and they became tribu- 

5 tary unto him. And after these things 
he fell sick, and perceived that he 

6should die. And he called his ser- 
vants, which were honourable, which 
had been brought up with him from his 
youth, and he divided unto them his 

7 kingdom, while he was yet alive. And 
Alexander reigned twelve years, and 

8he died. And his servants bare rule, 

9 each one in his place. And they did 
all put diadems upon themselves after 
that he was dead, and so did their sons 
after them many years : and they mul- 
tiplied evils in the earth. 

10 And there came forth out of them a 
sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son 
of Antiochus the king, who had been 
a hostage at Rome, and he reigned in 
2the hundred and thirty and seventh 
year of the kingdom of the Greeks. 

11 In those days came there forth out 

' of Israel transgressors of the law, and 
persuaded many, saying, Let us go 
and make a covenant with the * Gen- 
tiles that are round about us; for 
since we were parted from them many 

12 evils have befallen us. And the saying 

13 was good in their eyes. And certain 
of the people were forward herein and 
went to the king, and he gave them 
licence to do after the ordinances of 

14 the* Gentiles. And‘ they built a place 
of exercise in Jerusalem according to 

15 the laws of the * Gentiles; and they 
made themselves uncircumcised, and 
forsook the holy covenant, and joined 
themselves to the * Gentiles, and sold 
themselves to do evil. 

16 And the kingdom was well ordered 

- in the sight of Antiochus, and he 
thought to reign over Egypt, that he 
might reign over the two kingdoms. 





17 And he entered into Egypt with a 
5 great multitude, with chariots, and 
with elephants, and with horsemen, 

18 and with a great *navy; and he made 
war against Ptolemy king of Egypt; 
and Ptolemy was put to shame before 
him, and fled ; and many fell wounded 

19 to death. And they got possession of 

the strong cities in the land of Egypt; 
d he took the spoils of Egypt. 
nd Antiochus, after that he had 

smitten Egypt, returned in 7 the hun- 
dred and forty and third year, and 
went up against Israeland Jerusalem 

21 with a * great multitude, and entered 
presumptuously into the sanctuary, 


20 


and took the golden altar, and the} 


eandlestick of the light, and all that 
22 pertained thereto, and the table of 
the shewbread, and the cups to pour 
withal, and the bowls, and the golden 
censers, and the veil, and the crowns, 
and the adorning of gold which was on 
the face of the temple, and he scaled 
23 it all off. And he took the silver and 
the gold and the precious vessels; 
and he took the hidden treasures 
24 which he found. And when he had 
taken all, he went away into his own 
land, and he made a great slaughter, 
25 and spake very presumptuously.} And 
there came great mourning upon Is- 
rael, in every place where they were ; 
26 and the rulers and elders groaned, 
the virgins and young men were made 
feeble, and the beauty of the women 
27 was changed. Every bridegroom took 
up lamentation, she that sat in the 
marriage chamber was in heaviness. 
28 And the land was moved for the in- 
habitants thereof, and all the house 
of Jacob was clothed with shame. 
297 And * after * two full years the king 
sent a chief collector of tribute unto 
the cities of Judah, and he came unto 


Jerusalem with a ®great multitude. uy 


30 And he spake words of peace unto 
them in subtilty, and they gave him 
eredence: and he fell upon the city 
suddenly, and smote it very sore, and 
destroyed much people out of Israel. 

31 And he took the spoils of the city, and 
set it on fire, and pulled down the 
houses thereof and the walls thereof 

32o0n every side.’ And they led captive 
the women and the children, and the 

33 cattle they took in possession.} And 
they builded the city of David with 
a great and strong wall, with strong 
towers, and it became unto them a 


131 














1. 55. 


I. MACCABEES. 


2. 17. 








1 See 
2 Mace. 
vi. 6. 





in ver. 59. 


34 citadel. And they put there a sinful 
nation, transgressors of the law, and 
they strengthened themselves therein. 

35 And they stored up arms and victuals, 
and gathering together the spoils of 
Jerusalem, they laid them up there, 

36 and they became a sore snare: and it 
became a place to lie in wait in against 
the sanctuary, and an evil adversary 

37 to Israel continually. And they shed 
innocent blood on every side of the 
sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. 

38 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled 
because of them; and she became a 
habitation of strangers, and she be- 
came strange to them that were born 
in her, and her children forsook her. 

39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a 
wilderness, ther feasts were turned 
into. mourning, her sabbaths into re- 
proach, her honour into contempt. 

40 According to her glory, so was. her 

dishonour multiplied, and her high 

estate was turned into mourning. 
nd king Antiochus wrote to his 
whole kingdom, that all should be 

42 one people, and that each should for- 
sake his own laws. And all the na- 
tions agreed according to the word of 

43 the king; and many of Israel con- 
sented to his worship, and sacrificed 
to the idols, and profaned the sabbath. 

44 And the king sent letters by the hand 
of messengers unto Jerusalem and 
the cities of Judah, that they should 

45 follow laws strange to the land, and 
should forbid whole burnt offerings 
and sacrifice and drink offerings in 
the sanctuary; and should profane 

46 the sabbaths and feasts, and pollute 
the sanctuary and them that were 

47 holy ; that they should build altars, 
and temples, and shrines for idols, 
and should sacrifice swine’s flesh and 

48 unclean beasts: and that they should 
leave their sons uncircumcised, that 
they should make their souls abomin- 
able with all manner of uncleanness 

49 and profanation; so that they might 
forget the law, and change all the or- 

50 dinances. And whosoever shall not 
do according to the word of the king, 

51 he shall die. According to all these 
words wrote he to his whole kingdom ; 
and he appointed overseers over allthe 
people, and he commanded the cities 
of Judah to sacrifice, city by city. 

52 And from the people were gathered 
together unto them many, every one 
that had forsaken the law; and they 

53 did evil things in the land; and they 
made Israel to hide themselves in 

place of refuge which they 


ever 
had 

54 And on the fifteenth day of Chislev, 
in*the hundred and forty and fifth 
year, they builded an abomination of 
desolation upon the * altar, and in the 
cities of Judah on every side they 

55 builded idol “%altars. And at the 


41 





doors of the houses and in the streets 
56 they burnt incense. And they rent 
in pieces the books of the law which 
57 they found, and set them on fire. And 
wheresoever was found with any a 
book of the covenant, and if any con- 
sented to the law, the king’s sentence 
58 delivered him to death. Thus did 
they in their might unto Israel, to 
those that were found month by 
59 month in the cities. And on the five 
and twentieth day of the month they 
sacrificed upon the idol * altar, which 
60 was upon the ‘altar of God. And 
*the women that had circumcised 
their children they put to death ac- 
61 cording to the commandment. And 
they hanged their babes about their 
necks, and destroyed their houses, 
and them that had circumcised them. 
62 And many in Israel were fully re- 
solved and confirmed in themselves 
63 not to eat unclean things. And * they 
chose to die, that they might not be 


defiled with the meats, and that they | y 


might not profane the holy covenant: 

64 and they died. And there came ex- 
ceeding great wrath upon Israel. 

2, Inthose days rose up Mattathias the 
son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest 
of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem ; 

2 and he dwelt at Modin. And he had 
five sons, ® John, who was surnamed 

3 Gaddis; Simon, who was called 

4 Thassi; Judas, who was called Mac- 

5cabzeus; Eleazar, who was called 
Avaran; Jonathan, who was called 
Apphus. 

6 And he saw the blasphemies that 
were committed in Judah and in Jeru- 

7 salem, and he said, 

Woe is me! wherefore was I born to 
see the destruction of my people, and 
the destruction of the holy city, and 
to dwell there, when it was given into 
the hand of the enemy, the sanctuary 

8 into the hand of aliens? Her temple 
is become as a man ‘that was glori- 
9 ous: her vessels of glory are carried 
away into captivity, her infants are 
slain in her streets, her young men 

10 with the sword of the enemy. What 
nation hath not inherited her palaces, 
and gotten possession of her spoils? 

11 her adorning is all taken away; in- 
stead of a free woman she is become 

12a bond woman: and, behold, our holy 
things and our beauty and our glory 
are laid waste, and the Gentiles have 

13 profaned them. Wherefore should 
we live any longer? 

14 And Mattathias and his sons rent 
their clothes, and put on sackcloth, 
and mourned exceedingly. 

15 And the king’s officers, that were 
enforcing the apostasy, came into the 

16 city Modin to sacrifice. And many of 
Israel came unto them,and Mattathias 
and his sons were gathered together. 

17 And the king’s officers answered and 


132 





6 Gr. Jo- 
annes. 


7 Some 
authori- 
ties read 
m- - 


glorious. 


a 














2. 36. 


I. MACCABEES. 


2. 58. 





Leet BBS 
pEsezoaed 
i ee 





spake to Mattathias, saying, Thou art 
aruler and an honourable and great 
man in this city, and strengthened 

18 with sons and brethren: now there- 

fore come thou first and do the com- 
mandment of the king, as all the 
nations have done, and the men of 
Judah, and they that remain in Je- 
rusalem: and thou and thy house 
shall be in the number of the king’s 
1 Friends, and thou and thy sons shall 
be honoured with silver and gold and 

19 many gifts. And Mattathias answered 
and said with a loud voice, If all the 
nations that are in the house of the 
king’s dominion hearken unto him, to 
fall away each one from the worship 
of his fathers, and have made choice 

20 to follow his commandments, yet will 
I and my sons and my brethren walk 

21.in the covenant of our fathers. ? Hea- 
ven forbid that we should forsake the 

22 law and the ordinances. We will not 
hearken to the king’s words, to go 
aside from our worship, on the right 

hand, or on the left. 

23 And when he had left speaking these 
words, there came a Jew in the sight 
of all to sacrifice on the altar which 
was at Modin, according to the king’s 

24commandment. And Mattathias saw 
it, and his zeal was kindled, and his 
reins trembled, and he shewed forth 
his wrath according to judgement, and 

25 ran, and slew him upon the altar. And 
the king’s officer, who compelled men 
to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and 

26 pulled down the altar. And he was 
zealous for the law, even as Phinehas 

27 did unto Zimri the son of Salu. And 
Mattathias cried outin the city with 
a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is 
zealous for the law, and maintaineth 
the covenant, let him come forth after 

28me. And he and his sons fled into 
the mountains, and forsook all that 
they had in the city. 

29 Then many that sought after justice 
and judgement went down into the 

30 wilderness, to dwell there, they, and 
their sons, and their wives, and their 
cattle ; because evils were multiplied 

S3lupon them. And it was told the 
king’s officers, and the forces that 
were in Jerusalem, the city of David, 
that certain men, who had broken the 
king’s commandment, were gone down 
into the secret places in the wilder- 

32 ness; and many pursued after them, 
and having overtaken them, they en- 
camped against them, and set the 
battle in array against them on the 

33 sabbath day. And they said unto 
them, Thus far. Come forth, and do 
according to the word of the king, and 

34 ye shall live. And they said, We will 
not come forth, neither will we do the 
word of the king, to profane the sab- 

35 bath day. And they hasted to give 

36 them battle. And they answered them 





not, neither cast they a stone at them, 

37 nor stopped up the secret places, say- 
ing, Let us die all in our innocency: 
heaven and earth witness over us, that 

38 ye put us to death without trial. And 
they rose up against them in battle on 
the sabbath, and they died, they and 
their wives and their children, and 
their cattle, to the number of a thou- 
sand * souls. 

39 And Mattathias and his friends knew 
it, and they mourned over them ex- 

40 ceedingly. And one said to another, 
If we all doas our brethren have done, 
and fight not against the Gentiles for 
our lives and our ordinances, they will 
now quickly destroy us from off the 

4learth. And they took counsel on that 
day, saying, Whosoever shall come 
against us to battle on the sabbath 
day, let us fight against him, and we 
shall in no wise all die, as our brethren 

42 died in the secret places. Then were 
gathered together unto them a com- 
pany of * Hasidzans, mighty men of 
Israel, every one that offered himself 

43 willingly for the law. And all they 
that fled from the evils were added to 
them, and became a stay unto them. 

44 And they mustered a host, and smote 
sinners in their anger, and lawless men 
in their wrath: and the rest fied to the 

45 Gentiles for safety. And Mattathias 
and his friends went round about, and 

46 pulled down the altars; and they cir- 
eumcised by force the children that 
were uncircumcised, as many as they 

47 found in the coasts of Israel. And they 
pursued after the sons of pride, and 

48 the work prospered in their hand. And 
they rescued the law out of the hand 
of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of 
the kings, neither ® suffered they the 
sinner to triumph. 

49 And the days of Mattathias drew 
near that he should die, and he said 
unto his sons, 

Now have pride and rebuke gotten 
strength, and a season of overthrow, 

50 and wrath of indignation. And now, 
my children, be ye zealous for the law, 
and give your lives for the covenant 

51 of your fathers. And call to remem- 
brance the deeds of our fathers which 
they did in their generations; and 
receive great glory and an everlasting 

2 name. Was not Abraham found faith- 
ful in temptation, and it was reckoned 

53 unto him for righteousness? Joseph 
in the time of his distress kept the 
commandment, and became lord of 

54 Egypt. Phinehas our father, for that 
he was zealous exceedingly, obtained 
the covenant of an everlasting priest- 

55 hood. Joshua for fulfilling the word 

56 became a judge in Israel. Caleb for 
bearing witness in the congregation 

57 obtained a heritage in the land. David 
for being merciful inherited the throne 

58 ofa kingdom for ever and ever. Elijah, 


133 


4 That is, 
Chasi- 


dim. 

















3418 


I. MACCABEES. 





1 Some 
ancient 
authori- 
ties read 
ye shall 
Sight. 


2 circa 
B. C.167. 


3 Gr. out 
of it. 





for that he was exceeding zealous for 
the law, was taken up into heaven. 
59 Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, believed, 
and were saved out of the flame. 
60 Daniel for his innocency was delivered 
61from the mouth of lions. And thus 
consider ye from generation to genera- 
tion, that none that put their trust in 
62 him shall want for strength. And be 
not afraid of the words of a sinful 
man; for his glory shall be dung and 
63 worms. To-day he shall be lifted up, 
and to-morrow he shall in no wise 
be found, because he is returned unto 
his dust, and his thought is perished. 
64 And ye, my children, be strong, and 
shew yourselves men in behalf of the 
law ; for therein shall ye obtain glory. 
65 And, behold, Simon your brother, I 
know that he is a man of counsel; 
give ear unto him alway: he shall 
66 be a father unto you. And Judas 
Maccabzeus, he hath been strong and 
mighty from his youth: he shall 
be your captain, and ‘shall fight the 
67 battle of the people. And take ye unto 
you all the doers of the law,and avenge 
68 the wrong of your people. Render a 
recompense to the Gentiles, and take 
heed to the commandments of the law. 
69 Andhe blessed them, and was gather- 
70 edto hisfathers. And he diedin * the 
hundred and forty and sixth year, and 
his.sons buried him in the sepulchres 
of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel 
made great lamentation for him. 
8 And his son Judas, who was called 
2 Maceabzeus, rose up in his stead. And 
all his brethren helped him, and so did 
all they that clave unto his father, and 
they fought with gladness the battle of 
3 Israel. And he gat his people great 
glory, and put on a breastplate as a 
giant, and girt his warlike harness 
about him, and set battles in array, 
protecting the army with his sword. 
4 And he was like a lion in his deeds, 
and as a lion’s whelp roaring for prey. 
5 And he pursued the lawless, seeking 
them out, and he burnt up those that 
6 troubled his people. And the lawless 
shrunk for fear of him, and all the 
workers of lawlessness were sore trou- 
bled, and salvation prospered in his 
Thand. And he angered many kings, 
andmade Jacob glad with his acts, and 
8 his memorial is blessed for ever. And 
he went about among the cities of 
Judah, and destroyed the ungodly ?out 
of the land, and turned away wrath 
9from Israel: and he was renowned 
unto the utmost part of the earth, and 
he gathered together such as were 
ready to perish. 
10 AndApollonius gatheredthe Gentiles 
together, and a great host from Sa- 
1lmaria, to fight against Israel. And 
Judas perceived it, and he went forth 
to meet him,and smote him, and slew 
him: and many fell wounded to death, 





12 and the rest fled. And they took their 
spoils, and Judas took the sword of 
Apollonius, and therewith he fought 
all his days. 

13 And Seron, the commander of the 
host of Syria, heard say that Judas 
had gathered a gathering and a con- 
gregation of faithful men with him, 

14 and of such as went out to war; and 
he said, I will make myself a name 
and get me glory in the kingdom; and 
I will fight against Judas and them 
that are with him, that set at nought 

15 the word of the king. And there went 
up with him also a mighty army of the 
ungodly to help him, to take vengeance 
on the children of Israel. 

16 And he came near unto the going up 
of Bethhoron, and Judas went forth to 

17 meet him with a smallcompany. But 
when they saw the army coming to 
meet them, they said unto Judas, 
What? shall we be able, being a small 
company, to fight against so great and 
strong a multitude? and we for our 
part are faint, having tasted no food 

18 this day. And Judas said, It is an 
easy thing for many to be shut up in 
the hands of afew; and with ¢ heaven 
it is all one, to saye by many or by 

19few: for victory in battle standeth 
not in the multitude of a host; but 

20 strength is from heaven. They come 
unto us in fulness of insolence and 
lawlessness, to destroy us and our 
wives and our children, for to spoil 

21 us: but we fight for our lives and our 

22 laws. And he himself will discomfit 
them before our face: but as for you, 
be ye not afraid of them. 

23 Now when he had left off speaking, 
he leapt suddenly upon them, and 
Seron and his army were discomfited 

24 before him. And they pursued them 
in the going down of Bethhoron unto 
the plain, and there fell of them about 
eight hundred men; but the residue 
fled into the land of the Philistines. 

25 And the fear of Judas and his bre- 
thren, and the dread of them, began 
to fall upon the nations round about 

26 them: and his name came near even 
unto the king, and every nation told 
of the battles of Judas. 

27 But when king Antiochus heard 
these words, he was full of indigna- 
tion: and he sent and gathered to- 
gether all the forces of his realm, an 

28 exceeding strongarmy. And he open- 
ed his treasury, and gave his forces 
pay for a year, and commanded them 

29 to be ready for every need. And he 
saw that the money failed from his 
treasures, and that the tributes of the 
country were small, because of the 
dissension and plague which he had 
brought upon the land, to the end that 
he might take away the laws which 

30 had been from the first days; and he 
feared that he should not have enough 


134 


4 Some 
ancient 
authori- 
ties read 


God of 
heaven. 














I. MACCABEES. 











as at other times for the charges and 
the gifts which he gave aforetime 
with a liberal hand, and he abounded 
above the kings that were before him. 

31 And he was exceedingly perplexed in 
his mind, and he determined to go 
into Persia, and to take the tributes 
of the countries, and to gather much 

32 money. And he left Lysias, an hon- 
ourable man, and one of the seed 
royal, to be over the affairs of the 
king from the river Euphrates unto 

33 the borders of Egypt, and to bring up 
his son Antiochus, until he came 

24again. And he delivered unto him the 
half of his forces, and the elephants, 
and gave him charge of all the things 
that he would have done, and con- 
cerning them that dwe!t in Judza and 

35 in Jerusalem, that he should send a 
host against them, to root out and 
destroy the strength of Israel, and the 
remnant of Jerusalem, and to take 
away their memorial from the place; 

36 and that he should make strangers to 
dwell in all their coasts, and should 

37 divide their land to them by lot. And 
the king took the half that remained 
of the forces, and removed from Anti- 
och, from his royal city, 1 the hundred 
and forty and seventh year; and he 
passed over the river Euphrates, and 
went through the upper countries. 

38 And Lysias chose Ptolemy the son of 
Dorymenes, and Nicanor,and Gorgias, 
mighty men of the king’s ? Friends; 

39 and with them he sent forty thousand 
footmen, and seven thousand horse, to 
go into the land of Judah, and to de- 
stroy it, according to the word of the 

40 king. And they removed with all 
their host, and came and pitched near 
unto Emmaus in the plain country. 

41 And the merchants of the country 
heard the fame of them, and took 
silver and gold exceeding much, with 
’fetters, and came into the camp to 
take the children of Israel for ser- 
vants: and there were added unto 
them the forces of Syria and of the 
land of the * Philistines. 

42 And Judas and his brethren saw that 
evils were multiplied, and that the 
forces were encamping in their bor- 
ders ; and they took knowledge of the 
king’s words which he had command- 
ed, to destroy the people and make an 

43 ena of them; and they said each man 
to his neighbour, Let us raise up the 
ruin of our people, and let us fight for 

44 our people and the holy place. And 
the congregation was gathered to- 
gether, that they might be ready for 
battle, and that they might pray, and 

45 ask for mercy and compassion. And 
Jerusalem was without inhabitant as 

wilderness, there was none of her 
“ispring that went in or went out; 
eid the sanctuary was trodden down, 
“44 the sons of strangers were in the 





citadel, the Gentiles lodged therein; 
and joy was taken away from Jacob, 
and the pipe and the harp ceased. 

46 And they gathered themselves to- 
gether, and came to Mizpeh, over 
against Jerusalem ; forin Mizpeh was 
there a place of prayer aforetime for 

47 Israel. And they fasted that day, and 
put on sackcloth, and put ashes upon 

48 their heads, and rent their clothes, and 
laid open the book of the law, con- 
cerning which the Gentiles were wont 
to inquire, seeking the likenesses of 

49their idols. And they brought the 
priests’ garments, and the firstfruits, 
and the tithes: and they stirred up the 
Nazirites, who had accomplished their 

50 days. And they cried aloud toward 
heaven, saying, What shall we do with 
these men, and whither shall we carry 

51 them away? And thy holy place is 
trodden down and profaned, and thy 
priests are in heaviness and brought 

52 low. And, behold, the Gentiles are 
assembled together against us to de- 
stroy us: thou knowest what things 

53 they imagine against us. How shall 
we be: able to stand before them, 

54 except thou be our help? And they 
sounded with the trumpets, and cried 
with a loud voice. 

55 Andafter this Judas appointed lead- 
ers of the people, captains of thou- 
sands, and captains of hundreds, and 
captains of fifties, and captains of 

56 tens. And he said to them that were 
building houses, and were betrothing 
wives, and were planting vineyards, 
and were fearful, that they should 
return, each man to his own house, 

57 according to the law. And the army 
removed, and encamped upon the 

58 south side of Emmaus. And Judas 
said, Gird yourselves, and be valiant 
men, and be in readiness against the 
morning, that ye may fight with these 
Gentiles, that are assembled together 
against us to destroy us, and our holy 

59 place: for it is better for us to die in 
battle, than to look upon the evils of 

60 our nation and the holy place. Nev- 
ertheless, as may be the will in hea- 
ven, so shall he do. 

4 And Gorgias took five thousand foot- 
men, and a thousand chosen horse, 
2 and the army removed by night, that it 
might fall upon the army of the Jews 
and smite them suddenly: and the 
men of the citadel were his guides. 
3 And Judas heard thereof, and remov- 
ed, he and the valiant men, that he 
might smite the king’s host which was 
4at Emmaus, while as yet the forces 
5 were dispersed from the camp. And 
Gorgias came into the camp of Judas 
by night,and found no man; and he 
sought them in the mountains; for he 
6 said, These men flee from us. And as 
soon as it was day, Judas appeared in 
the plain with three thousand men: 


135 








\ 











4, 28. 


I. MACCABEES. 


4, 4 6. 





1 Gr. 
Gazera. 


2 Gr. 
stran- 
gers. 


3 Or, 

looking 

up unto 
ven 





howbeit they had not armour nor 
7 swords to their minds. And they saw 
the camp of the Gentiles strong and 
fortified,and horsemen compassing it 
round about; and these were expert in 
8 war. And Judas said to the men that 
were with him, Fear ye not their mul- 
titude, neither be ye afraid of their 
9 onset. Remember how our fathers 
were saved in the Red sea, when Pha- 
10 raoh pursued them with a host. And 
now let. us ery unto heaven, if he will 
have us, and will remember the cove- 
nant of our fathers, and destroy this 
11 army before our face to-day: and all 
the Gentiles shall know that there 
is one who redeemeth and saveth Is- 
12 rael. And the strangers lifted up their 
eyes, and saw them coming over 
13 against them: and they went out of 
the camp to battle. And they that 
were with Judas sounded their trum- 
14 pets, and joined battle, and the Gen- 
tiles were discomfited, and fled into 
15 the plain. But all the hindmost fell 
by the sword: and they pursued them 
unto 1 Gazara, and unto the plains of 
Idumeza and Azotus and Jamnia, and 
there fell of them about three thou- 
16sand men. And Judas and his host 
returned from pursuing after them, 
17 and he said unto the people, Be not 
greedy of the spoils, inasmuch as 
18 there is a battle before us; and Gor- 
gias and his host are nigh unto us in 
the mountain. But stand ye now 
against our enemies, and fight against 
them, and afterwards take the spoils 
19 with boldness. While Judas was yet 
making an end of these words, there 
appeared a part of them looking out 
20 from the mountain : and they saw that 
their host had been put to flight, and 
that the Jews were burning the camp ; 
for the smoke that was seen declared 
21 what was done. But when they per- 
ceived these things, they were sore 
afraid; and perceiving also the army 
of Judas in the plain ready for battle, 
22 they fled all of them into the land of 
23 the? Philistines. And Judas returned 
to spoil the camp, and they got much 
gold, and silver, and blue, and sea 
24 purple, and great riches. And they 
returned home, and sang a song of 
thanksgiving, and gave praise * unto 
heaven; because his mercy is good, 
because his mercy endureth for ever. 
25 And Israel had a great deliverance 
that day. 
26 But the strangers, as many as had 
escaped, came and told Lysias all the 
27 things that had happened: but when 
he heard thereof, he was confounded 
and discouraged, because neither had 
such things as he would been done 
unto Israel, nor had such things as 
the king commanded him come to 


pass. 
28 And in the next year he gathered 


136 





together threescore thousand chosen. 


footmen, and five thousand horse, that 
29he might subdue them. And they 
came into Idumza, and encamped at 
Bethsura ; and Judas met them with 
30 ten thousand men. And he saw that 
the army was strong, and he prayed 
and said, 
Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, 
who didst quell the onset of the 
mighty man by the hand of thy ser- 


vant David, and didst deliver the army. 


of the ? Philistines into the hands of 
Jonathan the son of Saul, and of his 
31 armourbearer: shut up this army in 
the hand of thy people Israel, and let 
them be ashamed for their host and 
32 their horsemen: give them faintness 
of heart, and cause the boldness of 
their strength to melt away, and let 
33 them quake at their destruction : east 
them down with the sword of them 
that love thee, and let all that know 
thy name praise thee with thanksgiv- 


ing. 

34 And they joined battle ;and there fell 
of the army of Lysias about five thou- 
sand men, and they fell down over 

35 against them. But when Lysias saw 
that his array was put to flight, and 
the boldness that had come upon them 
that were with Judas, and how they 
were ready either to live or to die 
nobly, he removed to Antioch, and 
gathered together hired soldiers, that 
he might come again into Juda with 
even a greater company. 

386 But Judas and his brethren said, Be- 
hold, our enemies are discomfited : let 
us go up to cleanse the holy place, 

37 and to dedicate it afresh. And all the 
army was gathered together, and they 

38 went up unto mount Sion. And they 
saw the sanctuary laid desolate, and 
the altar profaned, ahd the gates 
burned up, and shrubs growing in the 
courts as in a,forest or as on one of 
the mountains, and the priests’ cham- 

39 bers pulled down; and they rent their 
clothes, and made great lamentation, 

40 and put ashes upon their heads, and 
fell on their faces to the grou, and 
4blew with the * solemn trumpets, and 

41 cried toward heaven. Then Judas 
appointed certain men to fight'against 
those that were in the citadel, until he 
should have cleansed the holy ‘place. 

42 Andhe chose blameless priests, such 

43 as had pleasure in the law: and they 
cleansed the holy place, and bare out 
the stones of defilement into an unh- 

44 clean place. And they took counsel 
concerning the altar of burnt offerings, 
which had been profaned, what they 

45 should do with it: and there came in- 
to their mind a good counsel, that they 
should pull it down, lest it shouk; be 
a reproach to them, because theZ"-en- 
tiles had defiled it: and they 42led 

46 down the altar, and laid up th?2nes 


























I. MACCABEES. 


By 19. . 





2 Or, 
gave 


fookin’ 
ooking 
up unto 
to him 
which 





in the mountain of the house in a 
convenient place, until there should 
come a prophet to give an answer con- 

47 cerning them. And they took whole 
stones according to the law, and built 
a new altar after the fashion of the 

48 former ; and they built the holy place, 
and the inner parts of the house; and 

49 they hallowed the courts. And they 
made the holy vessels new, and they 
brought the candlestick, and the altar 
of burnt offerings and of incense, and 

50 the table, into the temple. And they 
burned incense upon the altar, and 
they lighted the lamps that were upon 
the candlestick, and they gave light 

51in the temple. And they set loaves 
upon the table, and spread out the 
veils, and finished all the works 
which they made. 

52 And they rose up early in the morn- 
ing, on the five and twentieth day of 
the ninth month, which is the month 
Chisley, in tthe hundred and forty 

53 and eighth year, and offered sacrifice 
according to the law upon the new 
altar of burnt offerings which they 

54 had made. At what time and on what 
day the Gentiles had profaned it,even 
on that day was it dedicated afresh, 
with songs and harps and lutes, and 

55 with cymbals. And. all the people fell 
upon their faces, and worshipped, and 
2 gave praise unto heaven, which had 

56 given them good success. And they 
kept the dedication of the altar eight 
days, and offered burnt offerings with 
gladness, and sacrificed a sacrifice of 

57 deliverance and praise. And they 
decked the forefront of the temple 
with crowns of gold and small shields, 
and dedicated afresh the gates and the 
priests’ chambers, and made doors for 

58 them. And there was exceeding great 
gladness among the people, and the 
reproach of the Gentiles was turned 

59 away. And Judas and his brethren 
and the whole congregation of Israel 
ordained, that the days of the dedica- 
tion of the altar should be kept in 
their seasons from year to year by the 
space of eight days, from the five and 
twentieth day of the month Chislev, 

60 with gladness and joy. And at that 
season they builded up the mount Sion 
with high walls and strong towers 
round about, lest haply the Gentiles 
should come and tread them down, as 

61 they had done aforetime. And he set 
there a force to keep it, and they 
fortified Bethsura to keep it ; that the 
people might have a stronghold over 
against Idumza. 

5 And it came to pass, when the Gen- 
tiles round about heard that the altar 
was built, and the sanctuary dedicated 
as aforetime, they were exceeding 

2 wroth. And they took counsel to de- 
stroy the race of Jacob that was in 
the midst of them, and they began to 


137 





slay and destroy among the people. 

3 And Judas fought against thechildren 
of Esau in Idumea at Akrabattine, 
because they besieged Israel: and he 
smote them with a great slaughter, 
and brought down their pride, and 

4 took their spoils. And he remembered 
the wickedness of the children of 
3 Bean, who were unto the people a 
snare and a stumblingblock, lying in 

5. wait for them in the ways. And they 
were shut up by him in the towers; 
and he encamped against them, and 
destroyed them utterly, and burned 
with fire the towers of the place, with 

6 all that were therein. And he passed 
over to the children of Ammon, and 
found a mighty band, and much 
people, with Timotheus for their 

7 leader. And he fought many battles 
with them, and they were discomfited 
before his face; and he smote them, 

8 and gat possession of Jazer, and the 
*villages thereof, and returned again 
into Judza. 

9 And the Gentiles that were in Gilead 
gathered themselves together against 
the Israelites that were on their bor- 
ders, to destroy them. And they fled 

10to the stronghold of Dathema, and 
sent letters unto Judas and his bre- 
thren, saying, The Gentiles that are 
round about us are gathered together 

11 against us to destroy us: and they are 
preparing to come and get possession 
of the stronghold whereunto we are 
fied for refuge, and Timotheus is the 

12 leader of their host. Now therefore 
come and deliver us from their hand, 

13 for many of us are fallen. And all 
our brethren that were in the land of 
5 Tubias have been put to death; and 
they have carried into captivity their 
wives and their children and their 
stuff; and they destroyed there about 

14a thousand men. While the letters 
were yet reading, behold, there came 
other messengers from Galilee with 
their clothes rent, bringing a report 

15 after this wise, saying, That there 
were gathered together against them 
those of Ptolemais, and of Tyre, and 
of Sidon, and all Galilee of the ® Gen- 
tiles, to consume them. 

16 Now when Judas and the people 
heard these words, there assembled 
together a great congregation, to con- 
sult what they should do for their 
brethren, that were in tribulation, and 

17 were assaulted of them. And Judas 
said unto Simon his brother, Choose 
thee out men, and go and deliver thy 
brethren that are in Galilee, but I and 
Jonathan my brother will go into the 

18 land of Gilead. And he left Joseph 
the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, as 
leaders of the people, with the rem- 
nant of the host, in Judea, for to keep 

19it. And he gave commandment unto 

them, saying, Take ye the charge of 
K+ 


6 Gr. 
stran- 
gers. 














5. 36. 


I. MACCABEES. 


DB. 52. 








3 See 
ver. 26. 





this people, and fight no battle with 
the Gentiles until that we come again. 

20 And unto Simon were divided three 
thousand men to go into Galilee, but 
unto Judas eight thousand men fo go 
into the land of Gilead. 

21 And Simon went into Galilee, and 
fought many battles with the Gentiles, 
and the Gentiles were discomfited 

22 before him. And he pursued them 
unto the gate of Ptolemais ; and there 
fell of the Gentiles about three thou- 
sand men, and he took their spoils. 

23 And they took to them those that 
were in Galilee, and in Arbatta, with 
their wives and their children, and all 
that they had, and brought them into 
Judea with great gladness. 

24 And Judas Maccabzeus and his bro- 
ther Jonathan passed over Jordan, 
and went three days’ journey in the 

25 wilderness; and they met with the 
Nabathzeans, and these met them ina 
peaceable manner, and told them all 
things that had befallen their brethren 

26in the land of Gilead: and how that 
many of them were shut up in Bosora, 
and Bosor, and Alema, 1! Casphor, 
Maked, and 2 Carnaim ; all these cities 

27 are strong and great: and how that 
they were shut up in the rest of the 
cities of the land of Gilead, and that 
to-morrow they have appointed to 
encamp against the strongholds, and 
to take them, and to destroy all these 

28 men in one day. And Judas and his 
army turned suddenly by the way of 
the wilderness unto Bosora; and he 
took the city, and slew all the males 
with the edge of the sword, and took 
all their spoils, and burned the city 

29with fire. And he removed from 
thence by night, and went till he came 

30 to the stronghold, And the morning 
came, and they lifted up their eyes, 
and, behold, much people which could 
not be numbered, bearing ladders and 
engines of war, to take the stronghold; 
and they were fighting against them. 

31 And Judas saw that the battle was 
begun, and that the ery of the city 
went up to heaven, with trumpets and 

32a great sound, and he said unto the 
men of his host, Fight this day for 

33 your brethren. And he went forth 
behind them in three companies, and 
they sounded with their trumpets, and 

34 cried out in prayer. And the army of 
Timotheus perceived that it was Mac- 
cabzeus, and they fled from before 
him : and he smote them with a great 
slaughter; and there fell of them on 
that day about eight thousand men. 

35 And he turned aside to Mizpeh and 
fought against it, and took it, and 
slew all the males thereof, and took 
the spoils thereof, and burned it with 

36 fire. From thence he removed, and 
took * Casphor, Maked, Bosor, and the 
other cities of the land of Gilead. 





37 Now after these things Timotheus 
gathered anotherarmy, and encamped 
over against Raphon beyond the 

38 brook. And Judas sent men to espy 
the army ; and they brought him word, 
saying, All the Gentiles that be round 
about us are gathered together unto 

39 them, an exceeding great host. And 
they have hired Arabians to help 
them, and are encamping beyond the 
brook, ready to come against thee to 
battle. And Judas went to meet them. 

40 And Timotheus said unto the captains 
of his host, when Judas and his army 
drew nigh unto the brook of water, If 
he pass over first unto us, we shall 
not be able to withstand him; for he 

41 will mightily prevail against us: but 
if he be afraid, and encamp beyond 
the river, we will cross over unto him, 

42 and prevail against him. Now when 
Judas came nigh unto the brook of 
water, he caused the scribes of the 
people to remain by the brook, and 
gaye commandment unto them, say- 
ing, Suffer no man to encamp, but let 

43 allcome to the battle. And he crossed 
over the first against them, and all the 
people after him: and all the Gentiles 
were discomfited before his face, and 
east away their arms, and fled unto 

44the temple at *Carnaim. And they 
took the city, and burned the temple 
with fire, together with all that were 
therein. And Carnaim was subdued, 
neither could they stand any longer 
before the face of Judas: 

45 And Judas gathered together all Is- 
rael, them that were in the land of 
Gilead, from the least unto the great- 
est, and their wives, and their chil- 
dren, and their stuff, an exceeding 
great army, that they might come into 

46 the land of Judah. And they came as 
far as Ephron, and this same city was 
great, and it was in the way as they 
should go, exceeding strong: they 
could not turn aside from it on the 
right hand or on the left, but must 
needs pass through the midst of it. 

47 And they of the city shut them out, 
and stopped up the gates with stones. 

48 And Judas sent unto them with words 
of peace, saying, We will pass through 


thy land to go into our own land, and 


none shall do you any hurt, we will 
only pass by on our feet. And they 
49 would not open unto him. And Judas 
commanded proclamation to be made 
in the army, that each man should 
encamp in the place where he was. 
50 And the men of the host encamped, 
and fought against the city all that 
day and all that night, and the city 
51 was delivered into his hands; and he 
destroyed all the males with the edge 
of the sword, and rased the city, and 
took the spoils thereof, and passed 
through the city over them that were 
52slain. And they went over Jordan 


138 











eet ae 





6. 2. 


I. MACCABEES. 


6. 20. 











into the great plain over against Beth- 

53 shan. And Judas gathered together 
those that lagged behind, and encour- 
aged the people all the way through, 
until he came into the land of Judah. 

54 And they went up to mount Sion with 
gladness and joy, and offered whole 
burnt offerings, because not so much 
as one of them was slain until they 
returned in peace. 

55 And in the days when Judas and 
Jonathan were in the land of Gilead, 
and Simon his brother in Galilee be- 

56fore Ptolemais, Joseph the son of 


| Zacharias, and Azarias, rulers of the 


host, heard of their exploits and of the 


| 57 war, what things they had done; and 


they said, Let us also get us a name, 
and let us go fight against the Gentiles 

58 that are round about us. And they 
gave charge unto the men of the host 
that was with them, and went toward 

59 Jamnia. And Gorgias and his men 
came out of the city to meet them in 

60 battle. And Joseph and Azarias were 
put to flight, and were pursued unto 
the borders of Judza; and there fell 
on that day of the people of Israel 

61 aboyt two thousand men. And there 
was a great overthrow among the peo- 
ple, because they hearkened not unto 
Judas and his brethren, thinking to do 

62 some exploit. But they were not of the 
seed of those men, by whose hand 
deliverance was given unto Israel. 

63 And the man Judas and his brethren 
were glorified exceedingly in the sight 
of all Israel, and of all the Gentiles, 
wheresoever their name was heard of; 

64 and men gathered together unto them, 
acclaiming them. 

65 And Judas and his brethren went 
forth, and fought against the children 
of Esau in the land toward the south; 
and he smote Hebron and the? villages 
thereof, and pulled down the strong- 
holds thereof, and burned the towers 

66 thereofround about. And he removed 
to go into the land of the 2 Philistines, 

67 and he went through *Samaria. In 
that day certain priests, desiring to 
do exploits there, were slain in battle, 
when as ‘he went out to battle unad- 

68 visedly. And Judas turned aside to 
Azotus, to the land of the ? Philistines, 
and pulled down their altars, and 
burned the carved images of their 
gods with fire, and took the spoil of 
their cities, and returned into the 
land of Judah. 

6 And king Antiochus was journeying 
through the upper countries ; and he 
heard say, that in Elymais in Persia 
there was a city renowned for riches, 

2 for silver and gold; and that the tem- 
ple which was in it was rich exceed- 
ingly, and that therein were golden 
shields, and breastplates, and arms, 
which Alexander, son of Philip, the 
Macedonian king, who reigned first 





among the Greeks, left behind there. 

3 And he came and sought to take the 
city, and to pillage it; and he was not 
able, because the thing was known to 

4them of the city, and they rose up 
against him to battle: and he fied, 
and removed thence with great heavi- 
ness, to return unto Babylon. 

5 And there came one bringing him 
tidings into Persia, that the armies, 
which went against the land of Ju- 

6 dah, had been put to flight; and that 
Lysias went first with a strong host, 
and was put to shame before them; 
and that they had waxed strong by 
reason of arms and power, and with 
store of spoils, which they took from 

7 the armies that they had cut off ; and 
that they had pulled down the abom- 
ination which he had built upon the 
altar that was in Jerusalem; and that 
they had compassed about the sanc- 
tuary with high walls, as before, and 

8 Bethsura, his city. And it came to 
pass, when the king heard these 
words, he was astonished and moved 
exceedingly : and he laid him down 
upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, 
because it had not befallen him as he 

9 looked for. And he was there many 
days, because great grief was renewed 
upon him, and he made account that 

10 he should die. And he called for all 
his 5 Friends, and said unto them, 
Sleep departeth from mine eyes, and 

11 my heart faileth for care. And I said 
in my heart, Unto what tribulation 
am I come, and how great a flood is 
it, wherein I now am! for I was gra- 

12 cious and beloved in my power. But 
now [remember the evils which I did 
at Jerusalem, and that I took all the 
vessels of silver and gold that were 
therein, and sent forth to destroy the 
inhabitants of Judah without a cause. 

13 I perceive that on this account these 
evils are come upon me, and, behold, 
I perish through great grief in a 

14strange land. And he ealled for 
Philip, one of his * Friends, and set 

15 him over all his kingdom, and gave 
him his diadem, and his robe, and his 
signet-ring, to the end he should bring 
Antiochus his son, and nourish him 

16 up that he might be king. And king 
Antiochus died there in * the hundred 

17 and forty and ninth year. And Lysias 
knew that the king was dead, and he 
set up Antiochus his son fo. reign, 
whom he had nourished up being 
young, and he called his name Eu- 


pator. — 
18 And they that were in the citadel 
shut up Israel round about the sanc- 
tuary, and sought always their hurt, 
and the strengthening of the Gentiles. 
19 And Judas thought to destroy them, 
and ealled all the people together to 
20 besiege them. And they were ga- 
thered together, and besieged them 


139 














I. MACCABEES. 


6. 58. 








2 Gr. it. 


3 See ch. 
ii. 18. 





in ! the hundred and fiftieth year, and 
he made mounds to shoot from, and 

21 engines of war. And there came forth 
some of them that were shut up, and 
there were joined unto them certain 

22 ungodly men of Israel. And they 
went unto the king, and said, How 
long wilt thou not execute judgement, 

23 and avenge our brethren? We were 
willing to serve thy father, and to 
walk after his words, and to follow 

24his commandments; and for this 
cause the children of our people be- 
sieged *the citadel, and were alien- 
ated from us; but as many of us as 
they could light on they slew, and 

25 spoiled our inheritances. And not 
against us only did they stretch out 
their hand, but also against all their 

26 borders. And, behold, they are en- 
camped this day against the citadel 
at Jerusalem, to take it: and the sanc- 
tuary and Bethsura have they fortified. 

27 And if ye are not beforehand with 
them quickly, they will do greater 
things than these, and thou shalt not 
be able to control them. 

28 And when the king heard this, he 
was angry, and gathered together all 
his * Friends, even the rulers of his 
host, and them that were over the 

29horse. And there came unto him 
from other kingdoms, and from isles 
of the sea, bands of hired soldiers. 

380 And the number of his forces was 
a hundred thousand footmen, and 
twenty thousand horsemen, and two 
and thirty elephants trained for war. 

31 And they went through Idumza, 
and encamped against Bethsura, and 
fought against it many days, and made 
engines of war; and they of Bethsura 
came out, and burned them with fire, 

32 and fought valiantly. And Judas re- 
moved from the citadel,and encamped 
at Bethzacharias, over against the 

33 king’s camp. And the king rose early 
in the morning, and removed his army 
* at full speed along the road to Beth- 
zacharias, and his forces made them 
ready to battle, and sounded with the 

34 trumpets. And they shewed the ele- 
phants the blood of grapes and mul- 
berries, that they might prepare them 

35 for the battle. And they divided the 
beasts among the phalanxes, and 
they set by each elephant a thousand 
men armed with coats of mail, and 
helmets of brass on their heads; and 
for each beast were appointed five 

36 hundred chosen horsemen. These 
were ready beforehand, wheresoever 
the beast was; and whithersoever 
the beast went, they went with him; 

37 they departed notfromhim. And tow- 
ers of wood were upon them, strong 
and covered, one upon each beast, 
girt fast upon him with cunning con- 
trivances; and upon each beast were 
two and thirty valiant men that fought 





38 upon them, beside his Indian (and the 
residue of the horsemen he set on 
this side and that side at the two 
parts of the army), striking terror 
into the enemy, and protected by the 

39 phalanxes. Now when the sun shone 
upon the shields of gold and brass, 
the mountains shone therewith, and 

40 blazed like torches of fire. And a 
part of the king’s army was spread 
upon the high mountains, and some 
on the low ground, and they went on 

41 firmly and in order. And all that 
heard the noise of their multitude, 
and the marching of the multitude, 
and the rattling of the arms, did 
quake: for the army was exceeding 

42 great and strong. And Judas and his 
army drew near for battle, and there 
fell of the king’s army six hundred 

43men. And Eleazar, who was called 
Avaran, saw one of the beasts armed 
with royal breastplates, and he was 
higher than all the beasts, and the 

44 king seemed to be upon him; and he 
gave himself to deliver his people, 
and to get him an everlasting name; 

45and he ran upon him courageously 
into the midst of the phalanx, and 
slew on the right hand and‘on the 
left, and they parted asunder from 

46 him on this side and on that. And he 
crept under the elephant, and thrust 
him from beneath, and slew him; and 
the elephant fell to the earth upon 

47 him, and he died there. And they saw 
the strength of the kingdom, and the 
fierce onset of the hosts, and turned 
away from them. 

48 But they of the king’s army went up 
to Jerusalem to meet them, and the 
king encamped toward Judza, and 

49toward mount Sion. And he made 
peace with them of Bethsura; and he 
came out of the city, because they had 
no food there to endure the siege, 
because it was a sabbath to the land. 

50 And the king took Bethsura, and ap- 
pointed a garrison there to keep it. 

51 And he encamped against the sanc- 
tuary many days; and set there 
mounds to shoot from, and engines of 
war, and instruments for casting fire 
and stones, and pieces to cast darts, 

52 and slings. And they also made en- 
gines against their engines, and 

53 fought for many days. But there 
were no victuals in the sanctuary, 
because it was the seventh year, and 
they that fled for safety into Judza 
from among the Gentiles had eaten 

54 up the residue of the store ; and there 
were but a few left in the sanctuary, 
because the famine prevailed against 
them, and they were scattered, each 
man to his own place. 

55 And Lysias heard say, that Philip, 
whom Antiochus the king, whiles he 
was yet alive, appointed to nourish up 
his son Antiochus, that he might be 


140 

















I. MACCABEES. 








56 king, was returned from Persia and 
Media, and with him the forces that 
went with the king, and that he was 
seeking to take unto him the govern- 

57 ment. And he made haste, and gave 
consent to depart; and he said to the 
king and the leaders of the host and 
to the men, We decay daily, and our 
food is seant, and the place where we 
encamp is strong, and the affairs of 

58 the kingdom lie upon us: now there- 
fore let us give the right hand to these 

men, and make peace with them and 

59 with all their nation, and covenant 
with them, that they shall walk after 
their own laws, as aforetime: for be- 
eause of their laws which we abol- 
ished they were angered, and did all 

60 these things. And the saying pleased 
the king and the princes, and he sent 
unto them to make peace; and they 

61 accepted thereof. And the king and 
the princes sware unto them: there- 
upon they came forth from the strong- 

62hold. And the king entered into 
mount Sion;_and he saw the strength 
of the place, and set at nought the 
oath which he had sworn, and gave 
commandment to pull down the wall 

63 round about. And he removed in 
haste, and returned unto Antioch, and 
found Philip master of the city; and 
he fought against him, and took the 
city by force. 

"7 In'the hundred and one and fiftieth 
year Demetrius the son of Seleucus 
came forth from Rome, and went up 
with a few men unto a city by the sea, 

2and reigned there. And it came to 
pass, when he would go into the house 
of the kingdom of his fathers, that the 
army laid hands on Antiochus and 
3 Lysias, to bring them unto him. And 
the thing was known to him, and 
he said, Shew me not their faces. 
4 And the army slew them. And De- 
metrius sat upon the throne of his 
5 kingdom. And there came unto him 
all the lawless and ungodly men of 
Israel; and Alcimus was their leader, 
6 desiring to be high priest; and they 
accused the people to the king, say- 
ing, Judas and his brethren have de- 
stroyed all thy friends, and have 
7 scattered us from ourownland. Now 
therefore send a man whom thou 
trustest, and let him go and see all 
the havock which he hath made of us, 
and of the king’s country, and how 
he hath punished them and all that 
Shelped them. And the king chose 
Bacchides, one of the king’s ? Friends, 
who was ruler in the country beyond 
the river, and was a great man in the 
kingdom, and faithful to the king. 
9 And he sent him, and that ungodly 
Alcimus, and made sure to him the 
high priesthood, and he commanded 
him to take vengeance upon the chil- 
dren of Israel. 





10 And they removed, and came with 
a great host into the land of Judah, 
and he sent messengers to Judas and 
his brethren with words of peace 

11 deceitfully. And they gave no heed 
to their words ; for they saw that they 

12 were come with a great host. And 
there were gathered together unto 
Alcimus and Bacchides a company of 

13 scribes, to seek for justice. And the 
3 Hasidzeans were the first among the 
children of Israel that sought peace 

14 o0f them; for they said, One that is 
a priest of the seed of Aaron is come 
with the forces, and he will do us no 

15 wrong. And he spake with them 
words of peace, and sware unto them, 
saying, We will seek the hurt neither 

16 of you nor your friends. And they 

gave him credence : and he laid hands 

on threescore men of them, and slew 
them in one day, according to the 
word which the psalmist wrote, 
*The fiesh of thy saints did they 
cast out, 
And their blood did they shed round 
about Jerusalem; 
And there was no man to bury them. 

18 And the fear and the dread of them 
fell upon all the people, for they said, 
There is neither truth nor judgement 
in them; for they have broken the 
eovenant and the oath which they 

19sware. And Bacchides removed from 
Jerusalem, and encamped in Bezeth ; 
and he sent and took many of the de- 
serters that were with him, and cer- 
tain of the people, and he slew them, 

20 and cast them into the great pit. And 
he made suré the country to Alcimus, 
and left with him a force to aid him; 
and Bacchides went away unto the 


17 


king. 

21 And Alcimus strove for his high 

22 priesthood. And there were gathered 
unto him all they that troubled their 
people, and they got the mastery of 
the land of Judah, and did great hurt 

23 in Israel. And Judas saw all the mis- 
chief that Aleimus and his company 
had done among the children of Israel, 

24 even above the Gentiles, and he went 
out into all the coasts of Judza round 
about, and took vengeance on the men 
that had deserted from him, and they 
were restrained from going forth into 

25 the country. But when Alcimus saw 
that Judas and his company waxed 
strong, and knew that he was not able 
to withstand them, he returned to the 
king, and brought evil accusations 
against them. 

26 * And the king sent Nicanor, one of 
his honourable princes, a man that 
hated Israeland was their enemy, and 
commanded him to destroy the people. 

27 And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with 
a great host; and he sent unto Judas 
and his brethren deceitfully with 

28 words of peace, saying, Let there be 


141 


3 Thatis, 
Chasi- 


dim. _ 


5 See 
2 Mace. 
xiv. 12. 

















2. 46. 


I. MACCABEES. 


8. 12. 





1 Some 
ancient 
authori- 
ties read 
Jive thou- 
sand. 


2 Gr. 
polluted 
them. 





no battle between me and you; I will 
come with a few men, that I may see 

29 your faces in peace. And he came to 
Judas, and they saluted one another 
peaceably. And the enemies were 
ready to take away Judas by vio- 

30 lence. And the thing was known to 
Judas, to wit, that he came unto him 
with deceit, and he was sore afraid of 
him, and would see his face no more. 

31 And Nicanor knew that his counsel 
was discovered; and he went out to 
meet Judas in battle beside Capharsa- 

32 lama; and there fell of Nicanor’s side 
about 1 five hundred men, and they 
fled into the city of David. 

33 And after these things Nicanor went 
up to mount Sion: and there came 
some of the priests out of the sanc- 
tuary, and some of the elders of the 
people, to salute him peaceably, and 
to shew him the whole burnt sacrifice 
that was being offered for the king. 

34 And he mocked them, and laughed at 
them,and?entreated them shamefully, 

35 and spake haughtily, and sware in a 
rage, saying, Unless Judas and his 
army be now delivered into my hands, 
it shall be that, if I come again in 
peace, I will burn up this house: and 

36 he went out in agreat rage. Andthe 
priests entered in, and stood before 
the altar and the temple; and they 

37 wept, and said, Thou didst choose this 
house to be called by thy name, to be 
a house of prayer and supplication 

38 for thy people: take vengeance on 
this man and his army, and let them 
fall by the sword: remember their 
blasphemies, and suffer them not to 
live any longer. 

389 And Nicanor went forth from Jeru- 
salem, and encamped in Bethhoron, 
and there met him the host of Syria. 

40 And Judas encamped in Adasa with 
three thousand men: and Judas pray- 

4led and said, When they that came 
from the king blasphemed, thine an- 
gel went out, and smote among them 
a hundred and fourscore and five 

42 thousand. Even so discomfit thou 
this army before us to-day, and let all 
the rest know that he hath spoken 
wickedly against thy sanctuary, and 
judge thou him according to his wick- 

43 edness. Andon the thirteenth day of 
the month Adar the armies joined 
battle: and Nicanor’s army was dis- 
comfited, and he himself was the first 

44 to fall in the battle. Now when his 
army saw that Nicanor was fallen, they 

45 cast away their arms, and fled. And 
they pursued after them a day’s jour- 
ney from Adasa until thou comest to 
®’ Gazara, and they sounded an alarm 
after them with the 4 solemn trumpets. 

46 And they came forth out of all the 
villages of Judza round about, and 
5closed them in; and these turned 
them back on those, and they all fell 





by the sword, and there was not one 
47 of them left. And they took the spoils, 
and the booty, and they smote off 
Nicanor’s head, and his right hand, 
which he stretched out so haughtily, 
and brought them, and * hanged them 
48 up beside Jerusalem. And the people 
was exceeding glad, and they kept 
that day as a day of great gladness. 
49 And ‘they ordained to keep this day 
year by year, to wit, the thirteenth 
50 day of Adar. And the land of Judah 
had rest ° a little while. 

8 And Judas heard of the fame of the 
Romans, that they are valiant men, 
and have pleasure in all that join 
themselves unto them, and make 
amity with all such as come unto 

2 them, and that they are valiant men. 
And they told him of their wars and 
exploits which they do among the 
Gauls, and how that they conquered 
them, and brought them under tri- 

3 bute; and what things they did in 
the land of Spain, that they might 
become masters of the mines of silver 

4 and gold which were there; and how 
that by their policy and persistence 
they conquered all the place (and the 
place was exceeding far from them), 
and the kings that came against them 
from the uttermost part of the earth, 
until they had discomfited them, and 
smitten them very sore; and how the 
rest give them tribute year by year: 

5 and Philip,and Perseus, king of Chit- 
tim, and them that lifted up them- 
selves against them, did they discom- 
fit in battle, and conquered them: 

6 Antiochus also, the great king of 
Asia, who came against them to 
battle, having a hundred and twenty 
elephants, with horse, and chariots, 
and an exceeding great host, and he 

7 was discomfited by them, and they 
took. him alive, and appointed that 
both he and such as reigned after him 
should give them a great tribute, and 
should give hostages, and a parcel of 

8 land, to wit, the country of India, and 
Media, and Lydia, and of the goodliest 
of their countries ; and they took them 
from him, and gave them to king 

9 Eumenes: and how they of Greece 
took counsel to come and destroy 

10 them; and the thing was known to 
them, and they sent against them a 
captain, and fought against them, and 
many of them fell down wounded to 
death, and they made captive their 
wives and their children, and spoiled 
them, and conquered their land, and 
pulled down their strongholds, and 
spoiled them, and brought them into 

11 bondage unto this day: and the resi- 
due of the kingdoms and of the isles, 
as Many as rose up against them at 
any time, they destroyed and made 

12 them to be their servants; but with 
their friends and such as relied upon 


142 


S Gr. 
stretched 
them out. 


7 See 
2 Mace. 
xv. 36. 


8 Gr. a 
Sew days. 




















8. z 28. 


I. MACCABEES. 


9. 12. 











them they kept amity ; and they con- 

- quered the kingdoms that were nigh 
and those that were far off, and all 
that heard of their fame were afraid 

13 of them: moreover, whomsoever they 
will to succour and to make kings, 
these do they make kings ; and whom- 
soever they will, do they depose ; and 

14they are exalted exceedingly: and 
for all this none of them did ever 
put on a diadem, neither did they 
clothe themselves with purple, to be 

15 magnified thereby: and how they had 

made for themselves a senate house, 
and day by day three hundred and 
twenty men sat in council, consult- 
ing alway for the people, to the end 

16 they might be well ordered: and 
how they commit their government 
te one man year by year, that he 
should rule over them, and be lord 
over all their country, and all are 
obedient to that one, and there is 
neither envy nor emulation among 
them. 

17 And Judas chose Eupolemus the son 
of John, the son of Accos, and Jason 
the son of Eleazar, and sent them to 
Rome, to make a league of amity and 

18 confederacy with them, and that they 
should take the yoke from them; for 
they saw that the kingdom of the 
Greeks did keep Israel in bondage. 

19 And they went to Rome (and the way 
was exceeding long), and they entered 
into the senate house, and answered 

20 and said, Judas, who is also called 
Maccabzeus, and his brethren, and the 
people of the Jews, have sent us unto 
you, to make a confederacy and peace 
with you, and that we might be regis- 
tered your confederates and friends. 

21 And the thing was well-pleasing in 

22 their sight. And this is the copy of 
the writing which they wrote back 
again on tables of brass, and sent to 
Jerusalem, that it might be with them 
there for a memorial of peace and con- 
federacy : 

23 Good success be to the Romans, and 
to the nation of the Jews, by sea and 
by land for ever: the sword also and 

24the enemy be far from them. But if 
war arise for Rome first, or any of 
their confederates in all their domin- 

25 ion, the nation of the Jews shall help 
them as confederates, as the occasion 
shall prescribe to them, with all their 

26 heart: and unto them that make war 
upon them they shall not give, neither 
supply, food, arms, money, or ships, as 
it hath seemed good unto Rome, and 
they shall keep their ordinances with- 

27 outtaking anything therefore. Inthe 
same manner, moreover, if war come 
first upon the nation of the Jews, the 
Romans shall help them as confeder- 
ates with all their soul, as the occasion 

28 shall prescribe to them: and to them 
that are confederates with their foes 





there shall not be given food, arms, 
money, or ships, as it hath seemed 
good unto Rome ; and they shall keep 
these ordinances, and that without de- 
29 ceit. According to these words have 
the Romans made a covenant thus 
30 with the people of the Jews. But if 
hereafter the one party and the other 
shall take counsel to add or diminish 
anything, they shall do it at their 
pleasure, and whatsoever they shall 
add or take away shall be established. 
31 And as touching the evils which king 
Demetrius doeth unto them, we have 
written to him, saying, Wherefore 
hast thou made thy yoke heavy upon 
our friends and confederates the 
32 Jews? If therefore they plead any 
more against thee, we will do them 
justice, and fight with thee by sea 
and by land. 

Q And Demetrius heard that Nicanor 
was fallen with his forces in battle,and 
he sent Bacchides and Alcimus again 
into the land of Judah a second time, 
and the right wing of his army with 

2them: and they went by the way that 
leadeth to Gilgal, and encamped 
against Mesaloth, which isin Arbela, 
and gat possession of it, and destroy- 
3edmuch people. And the first month 
of tthe hundred and fifty and second 
year they encamped against Jerusa- 
4lem: and they removed, and went to 
Berea, with twenty thousand footmen 
5 and two thousand horse. And Judas 
was encamped at Elasa, and three 
6 thousand chosen men with him: and 
they saw the multitude of the forces, 
that they were many, and they feared 
exceedingly : and many slipped away 
out of the army; there were not left 
of them more than eight hundred men. 
7 And Judas saw that his army slipped 
away, and that the battle pressed up- 
on him, and he was sore troubled in 
heart, for that he had no time to 
gather them together, and he waxed 

8 faint. And he said to them that were 
left, Let us arise and go up against 
our adversaries, if peradventure we 

9 may be able tofight with them. And 
they would have dissuaded him, say- 
ing, We shall in no wise be able: but 
let us rather save our lives now: let 
us return again, we and our brethren, 
and fight against them: but we are 


10 few. And Judas said, Let it not be so | 


that I should do this thing, to flee 
from them: and if our time is come, 
let us die manfully for our brethren’s 
sake, and not leave a cause of re- 
11 proach against our glory. And the 
host removed from the camp, and 
stood to encounter them, and the 
horse was parted into two companies, 
and the slingers and the archers went 
before the host, and all the mighty 
men that fought in the front of the 
12 battle. But Bacchides was in the 


143 


1 circa 
B. C.16 














I. MACCABEES. 


9. 53. 











right wing; and the phalanx drew 
near on the two parts, and they blew 

13 with their trumpets. And the men 
of Judas’ side, even they sounded 
with their trumpets, and the earth 
shook with the shout of the armies, 
and the battle was joined, and con- 
tinued from morning until evening. 

14 And Judas saw that Bacchides and 
the strength of his army were on the 
right side, and there went with him all 

15 that were brave in heart, and the right 
wing was discomfited by them, and he 
pursued after them unto the mount 

16 Azotus. And they that were on the 
left wing saw that the right wing was 
discomfited, and they turned and fol- 
lowed upon the footsteps of Judas and 

17 of those that were with him: and the 
battle waxed sore, and many on both 

18 parts fell. wounded to death. And 

19 Judas fell, and the rest fled. And 
Jonathan and Simon took Judas their 
brother, and buried him in the sepul- 

20 chre of his fathers at Modin. And 
they bewailed him, and all Israel 
made great lamentation for him, and 

21 mourned many days, and said, How 
is the mighty fallen, the saviour of 

22 Israel! And the rest of the acts of 
Judas, and his wars, and the valiant 
deeds which he did, and his greatness, 
they are not written; for they were 
exceeding many. 

23 And it came to pass after the death 
of Judas, that the lawless put forth 
their heads in all the coasts of Israel, 
and all they that wrought iniquity 

24 rose up (in those days was there an 
exceeding great famine), and the coun- 

25 try went over with them. And Bac- 
chides chose out the ungodly men, 
and made them lords of the country. 

| 26 And they sought out and searched 
for the friends of Judas, and brought 
them unto Bacchides, and he took 
vengeance on them, and used them 

27 despitefully. And there was great 
tribulation in Israel, such as was not 
since the time that no prophet ap- 

28 peared unto them. And all the 
friends of Judas were gathered to- 
gether, and they said unto Jonathan, 

29 Since thy brother Judas hath died, we 
have no man like him to go forth 
against our enemies and Bacchides, 
and among them of our nation that 

30 hate us. Now therefore we have 
chosen thee this day to be our prince 
and leader in his stead, that thou 

31 mayest fight our battles. And Jona- 
than took the governance upon him 
at that time, and rose up in the stead 
of his brother Judas. 

32 And Bacchides knew it, and he 

33 sought to slay him. And Jonathan, 
and Simon his brother, and all that 
were with him, knew it; and they fled 
into the wilderness of Tekoah, and 
encamped by the water of the pool 





34 Asphar. And Bacchides knew it on 
the sabbath day, and came, he and 

35 all his army, over Jordan. And Jona- 
than sent his brother, a leader of the 
multitude, and besought his friends 
the Nabathzans, that they might 
leave with them their baggage, which 

36 was much. Andthe children of Jam- 
bri came out of Medaba, and took 
John, and all that he had, and went 
their way with it. 

37 But after these things they brought 
word to Jonathan and Simon his bro- 
ther, that the children of Jambri were 
making a great marriage, and were 
bringing the bride from Nadabath 
with a great train, a daughter of one 

38 of the great nobles of Canaan. And 
they remembered John their brother, 
and went up, and hid themselves un- 

39 der the covert of the mountain: and 
they lifted up their eyes, andsaw, and, 
behold,a great ado and much baggage: 
and the bridegroom came forth, and 
his friends and his brethren, to meet 
them with timbrels, and minstrels, and 

40 many weapons. And they rose up 
against them from their ambush, and 
slew them, and many fell wounded to 
death, and the remnant fled into the 
mountain, and they took all their 

41 spoils. And the marriage was turned 
into mourning, and the voice of their 

42 minstrels into lamentation. And they 
avenged fully the blood of their bro- 
ther, and turned back to the marsh of 
Jordan. 

43 And Bacchides heard it,and he came 
on the sabbath day unto the banks of 

44 Jordan with a great host. And Jona- 
than said to his company, Let us stand 
up now and fight for our lives, for it is 
not with us to-day, as yesterday and 

45 the day before. For, behold, the battle 
is before us and behind us; moreover 
the water of the Jordan is on this side 
and on that side, and marsh and wood; 
and there is no place to turn aside. 

46 Now therefore cry unto heaven, that 
ye may be delivered out of the hand 

47 of your enemies. And the battle was 
joined, and Jonathan stretched forth 
his hand to smite Bacchides, and he 

48 turned away back from him. And 
Jonathan and they that were with him 
leapt into the Jordan, and swam over 
to the other side: and they did not 

49 pass over Jordan against them. And 
there fell of Bacchides’ company that 

50 day about a thousand men ; and he re- 
turned to Jerusalem. And they builded 
strong cities in Judea, the stronghold 
that was in Jericho, and Emmaus, and 
Bethhoron, and Bethel, and Timnath, 
Pharathon, and Tephon, with high 

51 walls and gates and bars. And in 
them he set a garrison, to vex Israel. 

52 And he fortified the city Bethsura, and 
Gazara, and the citadel, and put forces 

53 in them, and store of victuals. And 


144 

















ER A aA i | op tape 





I. MACCABEES. 


10. 16. 











he took the sons of the chief men of 

the country for hostages, and put 

them in ward in the citadel at Jeru- 
_ salem. 

54 And in ‘the hundred and fifty and 
third year, in the second month, Al- 
cimus commanded to pull down the 
wall of the inner court of the sanc- 
tuary; he pulled down also the works 

55 of the prophets ; and he began to pull 
down. At that time was Alcimus 
stricken,and his works were hindered; 
and his mouth was stopped, and he 
was taken with a palsy, and he could 
no more speak anything and give 


56 order concerning his house. And Al- 


cimus died at that time with great 

57 torment. And Bacchides saw that Al- 
cimus was dead, and he returned to 
the king: and the land of Judah had 
rest two years. 

58 And all the lawless men took coun- 
sel, saying, Behold, Jonathan and they 
of his part are dwelling at ease, and in 
security : now therefore we will bring 
Bacchides, and he shall lay hands on 

59 them all in one night. And they went 

60 and consulted with him. And he re- 
moved, and came with a great host, 
and sent letters privily to all his con- 
federates that were in Judza, that 
they should lay hands on Jonathan 
and those that were with him: and 
they could not, because their counsel 

61 was known unto them. And they that 
were of Jonathan’s part laid hands on 
about fifty of the men of the country, 
that were authors of the wickedness, 

62and he slew them. And Jonathan, 
and Simon, and they that were with 
him, gat them away to Bethbasi,which 
is in the wilderness, and he built up 
that which had been pulled down 

63 thereof, and they made it strong. And 
Bacchides knew it, and he gathered 
together all his multitude, and sent 
word to them that were of Judza. 

64 And he went and encamped against 
Bethbasi, and fought against it many 

65 days, and made engines of war. And 
Jonathan left his brother Simon in 
the city, and went forth into the coun- 

66 try, and he went withafew men. And 
he smote Odomera and his brethren, 
and the children of Phasiron in their 

67 tent. And they began to smite them, 
and to go up with their forces. And 
Simon and they that were with him 
went out of the city, and set on fire 

68 the engines of war, and fought against 
Bacchides, and he was discomfited by 
them, and they afflicted him sore ; for 
his counsel was in vain, and his in- 

69 road. And they were very wroth with 
the lawless men that gave him counsel 
to come into the country, and they 
slew many of them. And he took coun- 

70 sel to depart into his own land. And 
Jonathan had knowledge thereof, and 
sent ambassadors unto him, to the 





end that they should make peace with 
him, and that he should restore unto 
71them the captives. And he accepted 
the thing, and did according to his 
words, and sware unto him that he 
would not seek his hurt all the days 
72 of his life. And he restored unto him 
the captives which he had taken 
aforetime out of the land of Judah, 
and he returned and departed into 
his own land, and came not any more 
73 into their borders. And the sword 
ceased from Israel. And Jonathan 
dwelt at Michmash; and Jonathan 
began to judge the people; and he 
destroyed the ungodly out of Israel. 
10 And in?the hundred and sixtieth 
year Alexander Epiphanes, the son of 
Antiochus, went up and took posses- 
sion of Ptolemais: and they received 

2 him, and he reigned there. And king 
Demetrius heard thereof, and he 
gathered together exceeding great 
forces, and went forth to meet him in 
battle. 

3 And Demetrius sent letters unto 
Jonathan with words of peace, so as 

4to magnify him. For he said, Let us 
be beforehand to make peace with 
them, ere he make peace with Alex- 

5 ander against us: for he will remem- 
ber all the evils that we have done 
against him, and unto his brethren 

6 and unto his nation. And he gave him 
authority to gather together forces, 
and to provide arms, and that he 
should be his confederate: and he 
commanded that they should deliver 
up to him the hostages that were in 
the citadel. 

7 And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, 
and read the letters in the audience of 
all the people, and of them that were 

8in the citadel : and they were sore 
afraid, when they heard that the king 
had given him authority to gather 

9together a host. And they of the 
citadel delivered up the hostages unto 
Jonathan, and he restored them unto 
10 their parents. And Jonathan dwelt 
in Jerusalem, and began to build and 
11 renew the city. And he commanded 
them that did the work to build the 
walls and the mount Sion round about 
with * square stones for defence; and 
12 they did so. And the strangers, that 
were in the strongholds which Bacchi- 
13 des had built, fled away; and each 
man left his place, and departed into 
14his own land. Only at Bethsura were 
there left certain of those that had for- 
saken the law and the commandments; 
for it was a place of refuge unto them. 
15 And king Alexander heard all the 
promises which Demetrius had sent 
unto Jonathan: and they told him of 
the battles and the valiant deeds which 
he and his brethren had done, and of 
16 the toils which they had endured ; and 
he said, Shall we find such another 


145 L 





2 circa 
B.C. 153. 














10. 34. 


I. MACCABEES. 





1 See ch. 
ii. 18. 


2 circa 
B. C.1 





man? and now we will make him our 
171Friend and confederate. And he 
wrote letters, and sent them unto 
him, according to these words, say- 


ing, 

18 King Alexander to his brother Jona- 

19 than, greeting : We have heard of thee, 
that thou art a mighty man of valour, 

20and meet to be our !Friend. And 
now we have appointed thee this day 
to be high priest of thy nation, and to 
be called the king’s 1 Friend (and he 
sent unto him a purple robe and a 
crown of gold), and to take our part, 
and to keep friendship with us. 

21 And Jonathan put on the holy gar- 
ments in the seventh month of ?the 
hundred and sixtieth year, at the 
feast of tabernacles, and he gathered 
together forces, and provided arms in 
abundance. 

22 And Demetrius heard these things, 

23 and he was grieved, and said, What is 
this that we have done,that Alexander 
hath been beforehand with us in estab- 
lishing friendship with the Jews, to 

24 strengthen himself? I also will write 
unto them words of encouragement 
and of honour and of gifts, that they 

25 may be with me to aid me. And he 
sent unto them according to these 
words : 

King Demetrius unto the nation of 

26 the Jews, greeting : Forasmuch as ye 
have kept your covenants with us, 
and continued in our friendship, and 
have not joined yourselves to our 
enemies, we have heard hereof, and 

27 are glad. And now continue ye still to 
keep faith with us, and we will recom- 
pense unto you good things in return 

28 for your dealings with us, and will 
grant you many immunities, and give 

29 you gifts. Andnow do I free you, and 
release allthe Jews, from the tributes, 
and from the customs of salt, and from 

30 the crowns. And instead of the third 
part of the seed, and instead of the 
half of the fruit of the trees, which 
falleth to me to receive, I release it 
from this day and henceforth, so that 
I will not take it from the land of 
Judah, and from the three govern- 
ments which are added thereunto from 
the country of Samaria and Galilee, 
from this day forth and for all time. 

31 And let Jerusalem be holy and free, 
and her borders; the tenths and the 

32 tolls also. I yield up also my author- 
ity over the citadel which is at Jeru- 
salem, and give it to the high priest, 
that he may appoint in it such men as 

33 he shall choose to keep it. And every 
soul of the Jews, that hath been car- 
ried captive from the land of Judah 
into any part of my kingdom, I set at 
liberty without price ; and let all remit 

34 the tributes of their cattle also. And 
all the feasts, and the sabbaths, and 
hew moons, and appointed days, and 





three days before a feast, and three 
days after a feast, let them all be 
days of immunity and release for all 
the Jews that are in my kingdom. 

35 And no man shall have authority to 
exact from any of them, or to trouble 

56 them concerning any matter. And let 
there be enrolled among the king’s 
forces about thirty thousand men of 
the Jews, and pay shall be given unto 
them, as belongeth to all the king’s 

37 forces. And of them some shall be 
placed in the king’s great strongholds, 
and some of them shall be placed over 
the affairs of the kingdom, which are 
of trust: and let those that are over 
them, and their rulers, be of them- 
selves, and let them walk after their 
own laws, even as the king hath com- 

38 manded in the land of Judah. And the 
three governments that have been 
added to Judza from the country of 
Samaria, let them be added to Juda, 
that they may be reckoned to be un- 
der one, that they may not obey other 

39 authority than the high priest’s. As 
for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining 
thereto, I have given it as a gift to 
the sanctuary that is at Jerusalem, 
for the expenses that befit the sanc- 

40tuary. And I give every year fifteen 
thousand shekels of silver from the 
king’s revenues from the places that 

41 are convenient. And all the overplus, 
which they that manage the king’s 
affairs paid not in as in the first years, 
they shall give from henceforth to- 

42 ward the works of the house. And 
beside this, the five thousand shekels 
of silver, which they received from 
the uses of the sanctuary from the 
revenue year by year, this also is re- 
leased, because it appertaineth to the 

43 priests that minister. And whoso- 
ever shall flee unto the temple that 
is at Jerusalem, and be found within 
all the borders thereof, whether one 
owe moneys to the king, or any other 
matter, let them go free, and all that 

44 they have in my kingdom. And for 
the building and renewing of the 
works of the sanctuary the expense 
shall be given also out of the king’s 

45 revenue. And for the building of the 
walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying 
thereof round about, shall the expense 
be given also out of the king’s reve- 
nue, and for the building of the walls 
in Judea. 

46 Now when Jonathan and the people 
heard these words, they gave no cre- 
dence unto them, nor received them, 
because they remembered the great 
evil which he had done in Israel, and 
that he had afflicted them very sore. |. 

47 And they were well pleased with 
Alexander, because he was the first 
that spake words of peace unto them, 
and they were confederate with him 

48 always. And king Alexander ga- 


146 





10. 48. 

















10. 65. 


I. MACCABEES. 


10. 34. 





we 
3 


<1 


ver: 





_ thered together great forces, and en- 
49 camped over against Demetrius. And 
the two kings joined battle, and the 
army of Alexander fled; and Deme- 
trius followed after him, and prevailed 
50 against them. And he strengthened 
the battle exceedingly until the sun 
went down: and Demetrius fell that 


day. = 
51 And Alexander sent ambassadors to 
Ptolemy king of Egypt according to 
52these words, saying, Forasmuch as I 
am returned to my kingdom, and am 
_ set on the throne of my fathers, and 
have gotten the dominion, and have 
overthrown Demetrius, and have got- 
53 ten possession of our country; yea, 
I joined battle with him, and he 
and his army were discomfited by us, 
and we sat upon the throne of his 
54kingdom: now also let us establish 
amity one with the other, and give me 
now thy daughter to wife: and I will 
make affinity with thee, and will give 
both thee and her gifts worthy of thee. 
55 And Ptolemy the king answered, say- 
ing, Happy is the day wherein thou 
didst return into the land of thy 
fathers, and didst sit on the throne 
56 of their kingdom. And now will I do 
to thee, as thou hast written: but 
meet me at Ptolemais, that we may 
see one another; and I will make 
affinity with thee, even as thou hast 
57 said. And Ptolemy went out of 
Egypt, himself and Cleopatra his 
daughter, and came unto Ptolemais 
in ‘the hundred and threescore and 
58second year: and king Alexander 
met him, and he bestowed on him his 
daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated 
her marriage at Ptolemais with great 
pomp, as the manner of kings is. 
59 And king Alexander wrote unto Jo- 
nathan, that he should come to meet 
60him. And he went with pomp to 
Ptolemais, and met the two kings, and 
gave them and their ? Friends silver 
and gold, and many gifts, and found 
61 favour in their sight. And there were 
gathered together against him certain 
pestilent fellows out of Israel, men 
that were transgressors of the law, to 
complain against him: and the king 
62 gave no heed to them. And the king 
commanded, and they took off Jona- 
than’s garments, and clothed him in 
63 purple: and thus they did. And the 
king made him sit with him, and said 
unto his princes, Go forth with him 
into the midst of the city, and make 
proclamation, that no man complain 
against him of any matter, and let no 
man trouble him for any manner of 
64 cause. And it came to pass, when 
they that complained against him saw 
his glory according as the herald 
made proclamation, and saw him 
clothed in purple, they all fled away. 
65 And the king gave him honour, and 





wrote him among his * Chief Friends, 
and made him a captain, and gover- 

66 nor of a province. And Jonathan 
returned to Jerusalem with peace 
and gladness. 

67 And in+the hundred and threescore 
and fifth year came Demetrius, son of 
Demetrius, out of Crete into the land 

68 of his fathers: and king Alexander 
heard thereof, and he was grieved ex- 
ceedingly, and returned unto Antioch. 

69 And Demetrius appointed Apollonius, 
who was over Coelesyria, and he 
gathered together a great host, and 
encamped in Jamnia, and sent unto 
Jonathan the high priest, saying, 

70 Thou alone liftest up thyself against 
us, but I am had in derision and in re- 
proach because of thee. And why dost 
thou vaunt thy power against us in the 

71 mountains? Now therefore, if thou 
trustest in thy forces, come down to us 
into the plain, and there let us try the 
matter together; for with me is the 

72 power of the cities. Ask and learn 
who I am, and the rest that help us; 
and they say, Your foot cannot stand 
before our face ; for thy fathers have 
been twice put to flight in their own 

73 land. And now thou shalt not be able 
to abide the horse and such a host as 
this in the plain, where is neither stone 
nor flint, nor place to flee unto. 

74 Nowwhen Jonathan heard the words 
of Apollonius, he was moved in his 
mind, and he chose out ten thousand 
men, and went forth from Jerusalem, 
and Simon his brother met him for to 

7T5help him. And he encamped against 
Joppa: and they of the city shut him 
out, because Apollonius had a garrison 

76in Joppa: and they fought against it. 
And they of the city were afraid, and 
opened unto him: and Jonathan be- 

77 came master of Joppa. And Apollo- 
nius heard, and he gathered an army 
of three thousand horse, and a great 
host, and went to Azotus as though he 
were on a journey, and therewithal 
drew onward into the plain, because 
he had a multitude of horse, and 

78 trusted therein. And he pursued after 
him to Azotus, and the armies joined 

79 battle5. And Apollonius had left a 
thousand horse behind them privily. 

80 And Jonathan knew that there was an 
ambushment behing him. And they 
compassed round his army, and cast 
their darts at the people, from morn- 

81 ing until evening: but the people stood 
still,as Jonathan commanded them: 

82 and their horses were wearied. And 
Simon drew forth his host, and joined 
battle with the phalanx (for the horse- 
men were spent), and they were dis- 

83 comfited by him, and fled. And the 
horsemen were scattered in the plain, 
and they fled to Azotus, and entered 
into Beth-dagon, their idol’s temple, 

84to save themselves. And Jonathan 


147 





5 Most 
of the 
authori- 
ties here 











11. 13. 


I. MACCABEES. 


11. 33. 











burned Azotus, and the cities round 
about it, and took their spoils; and 
the temple of Dagon, and them that 
85 fled into it, he burned with fire. And 
they that had fallen by the sword, 
with them that were burned, were 
86 about eight thousand men. And from 
thence Jonathan removed, and en- 
camped against Ascalon, and they of 
the city came forth to meet him with 
87 great pomp. And Jonathan, with them 
that were on his side, returned unto 
88 Jerusalem, having many spoils. And 
it came to pass, when king Alexander 
heard these things, he honoured Jona- 
89 than yet more; and he sent unto him 
a buckle of gold, as the use is to give 
to such as are of the kindred of the 
kings: and he gave him Ekron and all 
the coasts thereof for a possession. 
11 And the king of Egypt gathered to- 
gether great forces, as the sand which 
is by the sea shore, and many ships, 
and sought to make himself master 
of Alexander’s kingdom by deceit, and 
2to add it to his own kingdom. And 
he went forth into Syria with words 
of peace, and they of the cities opened 
unto him, and met him; for king 
Alexander’s commandment was that 
they should meet him, because he was 
3 his father in law. Nowas he entered 
into the cities of Ptolemais, he set his 
forces for a garrison in each city. 
4 But when he came near to Azotus, 
they shewed him the temple of Dagon 
burned with fire, and Azotus and the 
suburbs thereof pulled down, and the 
bodies east abroad, and them that had 
been burned, whom he burned in the 
war, for they had made heaps of them 
5in his way. And they told the king 
what things Jonathan had done, that 
they might cast blame on him: and 
6the king held his peace. And Jona- 
than met the king with pomp at Joppa, 
and they saluted one another, and 
7 they slept there. And Jonathan went 
with the king as far as the river that 
is called Eleutherus, and returned to 
8 Jerusalem. But king Ptolemy became 
master of the cities upon the sea coast, 
unto Seleucia which is by the sea, and 
he devised evil devices concerning 
9 Alexander. And he sent ambassadors 
unto king Demetrius, saying, Come, 
let us make a covenant with one an- 
other, and I will give thee my daughter 
whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt 
10 reign over thy father’s kingdom; for 
I have repented that I gave my 
daughter unto him, for he sought to 
llslay me. And he cast blame on him, 
12 because he coveted his kingdom. And 
taking his daughter from him, he gave 
her to Demetrius, and was estranged 
from Alexander, and their enmity was 
13 openly seen. And Ptolemy entered 
into Antioch, and put on himself the 
diadem of Asia; and he put two dia- 





dems upon his head, the diadem of 
14Egypt and that of Asia. But king 
Alexander was in Cilicia at that sea- 
son, because they of those parts were 
15in revolt. And Alexander beard of it, 
and he came against him in war: and 
Ptolemy led forth his host, and met 
him with a strong force, and put him 
16to flight. And Alexander fied into 
Arabia, that he might be sheltered 
there ; but king Ptolemy was exalted. 

17 And Zabdiel the Arabian took off 
Alexander’s head, and sent it to Ptol- 

18emy. And king Ptolemy died the 
third day after, and they that were in 
his strongholds were slain by them 

19that were in the strongholds. And 
Demetrius reigned in tthe hundred 
and threescore and seventh year. 

20 In those days Jonathan gathered 
together them of Juda, to take the 
citadel that was at Jerusalem: and he 
made many engines of war against it. 

21 And certain that hated their own na- 
tion, men that transgressed the law, 
went unto the king, and reported to 
him that Jonathan was besieging the 

22 citadel. And he heard, and was an- 
gered; but when he heard it, he set 
forth immediately, and came to Ptole- 
mais, and wrote unto Jonathan, that 
he should not besiege it, and that he 
should meet him and speak with him 

23 at Ptolemais with all speed. But 
when Jonathan heard this, he com- 
manded to besiege it stil/: and he 
chose certain of the elders of Israel 
and of the priests, and put himself 

24in peril, and taking silver and gold 
and raiment and divers presents be- 
sides, went to Ptolemais unto the 
king. And he found favour in his 

25 sight. And certain lawless men of 
them that were of the nation made 

26 complaints against him, and the king 
did unto him even as his predecessors 
had done unto him, and exalted him 

27 in the sight of all his ? Friends, and 
confirmed to him the high priest- 
hood, and all the other honours that 
he had before, and gave him preemi- 
nence among his *Chief Friends. 

28 And Jonathan requested of the king, 
that he would make Judza free from 
tribute, and the three + provinces, and 
the country of Samaria; and pro- 

29 mised him three hundred talents. And 
the king consented, and wrote letters 
unto Jonathan concerning all these 
things after this manner: 

30 King Demetrius unto his brother 
Jonathan, and unto the nation of the 

31 Jews, greeting: The copy of the letter 
which we wrote unto Lasthenes our 
kinsman concerning you, we have 
written also unto you, that ye may see 

32 it. King Demetrius unto Lasthenes 

33 his father, greeting: We have deter- 
mined to do good to the nation of the 
Jews, who are our friends, and ob- 


148 





1 circa 
B:'C. 


2 See ch. 


ii. 18. 
3 See ch. 
x. 65. 


4 Gr. top- 
archies. 








—— 





il, 46. 


I. MACCABEES. 


11. 63. 








: 
& 








serve what is just toward us, because 

34 of their good will toward us. We have 
confirmed therefore unto them the 

_ borders of Judza,and also the three 
governments of Aphzeremaand Lydda 
and Ramathaim (these were added 
unto Judzea from the country of Sa- 
maria), and all things appertaining 
unto them, for all such as do sacrifice 
in Jerusalem, instead of the king’s 
dues which the king received of them 
yearly aforetime from the produce 
of the earth and the fruits of trees. 

35 And as for the other things that per- 
tain unto us from henceforth, of the 
tenths and the tolls that pertain unto 
us, and the saltpits, and the crowns 
that pertain unto us, all these we will 

36 bestow upon them. And not one of 
these things shall be annulled from 

37 this time forth and for ever. Now 
therefore be careful to make a copy 
of these things, and let it be given 
unto Jonathan, and let it be set up 
on the holy mount in a meet and con- 
spicuous place. 

38 And king Demetrius saw that the 

_ land was quiet before him, and that 
no resistance was made to him, and 
he sent away all his forces, each man 
to his own place, except the foreign 
forces, which he had raised from the 
isles of the Gentiles: and all the forces 

39 of his fathers hated him. Now Try- 
phon was of those who aforetime 
had been of Alexander’s part, and he 
saw that all the forces murmured 
against Demetrius, and he went to 
Imalcue the Arabian, who was nour- 
ishing up Antiochus the young child 

40 of Alexander, and pressed sore upon 
him that he should deliver him unto 
him, that he might reign in his father’s 
stead: and he told him all that De- 
metrius had done, and the hatred 
wherewith his forces hated him; and 
he abode there many days. 

41 And Jonathan sent unto king De- 
metrius, that he should cast out of 
Jerusalem them of the citadel, and 
them that were in the strongholds; 
for they fought against Israel con- 

42 tinually. And Demetrius sent unto 
Jonathan, saying, I will not only do 
this for thee and thy nation, but I 
will greatly honour thee and thy na- 

43 tion, if I find fairoccasion. Nowthere- 
fore thou shalt do well, if thou send 
me men who shall fight for me; for all 

44my forees are revolted. And Jona- 
than sent him three thousand valiant 
men unto Antioch: and they came to 
the king, and the king was glad at 

45 their coming. And they of the city 
gathered themselves together into the 
midst of the city, to the number of a 
hundred and twenty thousand men, 
and they were minded to slay the 

46 king. And the king fied into the court 
of the palace, and they of the city 





seized the passages of the city, and 

47 began to fight. And the king called 
the Jews to help him, and they were 
gathered together unto him all atonce, 
and they dispersed themselves in the 
city, and slew that day to the number 

48 of a hundredthousand. And they set 
the city on fire, and gat many spoils 

49that day,and saved the king. And 
they of the city saw that the Jews had 
‘made themselves masters of the city 
as they would, and they waxed faint 
in their hearts, and they cried out to 
the king with supplication, saying, 

50 Give us thy right hand, and let the 
Jews cease from fighting against us 

5land the city. And they cast away 
their arms, and made peace; and the 
Jews were glorified in the sight of the 
king, and before all that were in his 
kingdom; and they returned to Je- 

52rusalem, having many spoils. And 
king Demetrius sat on the throne of 
his kingdom, and the land was quiet 

53 before him. And he lied in all that 
he spake, and estranged himself from 
Jonathan, and recompensed him not 
according to the benefits with which 
he had recompensed him, and afflicted 
him exceedingly. 

54 Now after this Tryphon returned, 
and with him the young child Antio- 
echus; and he reigned, and put on a 

55diadem. And there were gathered 
unto him all the forces which Deme- 
trius had sent away with disgrace, and 
they fought against him, and he fied 

56 and was put to the rout. And Tryphon 
took the elephants, and became mas- 

57 ter of Antioch. And the young Anti- 
ochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I 
confirm unto thee the high priesthood, 
and appoint thee over the four govern- 
ments, and to be one of the king’s 

581Friends. And he sent unto him 
golden vessels and furniture for the 
table, and gave him leave to drink in 
golden vessels, and to be clothed in 
purple, and to have a golden buckle. 

59 And his brother Simon he made cap- 
tain from the Ladder of Tyre unto the 

60 borders of Egypt. And Jonathan went 
forth, and took his journey beyond the 
river and through the cities; and all 
the forces of Syria gathered them- 
selves unto him for to be his confed- 
erates. And he came to Ascalon, and 
they of the city met him honourably. 

61 And he departed thence to Gaza, and 
they of Gaza shut him out; and he 
laid siege unto it, and burned the sub- 
urbs thereof with fire, and spoiled 

62 them. And they of Gaza made re- 
quest unto Jonathan, and he gave 
them his right hand, and took the 
sons of their princes for hostages, and 
sent them away to Jerusalem; and he 
passed through the country as far as 
Damascus. 

63 And Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ 


149 





1 See ch. 
ii. 18. 














12. 8. 


I. MACCABEES. 


12. 27. 





1 So the 
old 


Latin 
versions 


20. All 
the other 
authori- 
ties read 
arius 
in this 
place. 





princes were come to Kedesh, which is 
in Galilee, with a great host, purposing 

64 to remove him from his office ; and he 
went to meet them, but Simon his 

65 brother he left in the country. And Si- 
mon encamped against Bethsura, and 
fought against it many days, and shut 

66 it up: and they made request to him 
that he would give them his right 
hand, and he gave it to them; and he 
put them out from thence, and took 
possession of the city, and set a gar- 

67 rison over it. And Jonathan and his 
army encamped at the water of Gen- 
nesareth, and early in the morning 
they gat them to the plain of Hazor. 

68 And, behold, an army of strangers met 
him in the plain, and they laid an 
ambush for him in the mountains, but 

69 themselves met him face to face. But 
they that lay in ambush rose out of 
their places, and joined battle; and 
all they that were of Jonathan’s side 

70 fied: not one of them was left, except 
Mattathias the son of Absalom, and 
Judas the son of Chalphi, captains of 

Tithe forces. And Jonathan rent his 
clothes, and put earth upon his head, 

72 and prayed. And he turned again unto 
them in battle, and put them to the 

73 rout, and they fled. And they of his 
side that fled saw it, and returned 
unto him, and pursued with him unto 
Kedesh unto their camp, and they 

74 encamped there. And there fell of the 
strangers on that day about three 
thousand men: and Jonathan re- 
turned to Jerusalem. 

12 And Jonathan saw that the time 
served him, and he chose men, and 
sent them to Rome, to confirm and 
renew the friendship that they had 

2with them. And tothe Spartans, and 
to other places, he sent letters after 
8the same manner. And they went 
unto Rome, and entered into the sen- 
ate house, and said, Jonathan the high 
priest, and the nation of the Jews, 
have sent us, to renew for them the 
friendship and the confederacy, as in 
4former time. And they gave them 
letters unto the men in every place, 
that they should bring them on their 
way to the land of Judah in peace. 
5 And this is the copy of the letters 
which Jonathan wrote to the Spar- 


tans: 

6 Jonathan the high priest, and the 
senate of the nation, and the priests, 
and the rest of the people of the Jews, 
unto their brethren the Spartans, 

7 greeting: Even before this time were 
letters sent unto Onias the high priest 
from? Arius, who was reigning among 
you, to signify that ye are our bre- 
thren, as the copy here underwritten 

8sheweth. And Onias entreated hon- 
ourably the man that was sent, and 
received the letters, wherein declara- 
tion was made of confederacy and 





9 friendship. Therefore we also, albeit 
we heed none of these things, having 
for our encouragement the holy books 

10 which are in our hands, have assayed 
to send that we might renew our bro- 
therhood and friendship with you, to 
the end that we should not become 
estranged from you altogether: for 


long time is passed since ye sent unto | 


llus. We therefore at all times with- 
out ceasing, both in our feasts, and on 
the other convenient days, do remem- 
ber you in the sacrifices which we 
offer, and in our prayers, as it is right 
and meet to be mindful of brethren : 

12 and moreover are glad for your glory. 

13 But as for ourselves, many afflictions 
and many wars have encompassed us, 
and the kings that are round about us 

14 have fought against us. We were not 
minded therefore to be troublesome 
unto you, and to the rest of our con- 
federates and friends, in these wars; 

15 for we have the help which is from 
heaven to help us, and we have been 
delivered from our enemies, and our 

16 enemies have been brought low. We 
chose therefore Numenius the son of 
Antiochus, and Antipater the son of 
Jason, and have sent them unto the 
Romans, to renew the friendship that 
we had with them, and the former con- 

17 federacy. We commanded them 
therefore to go also unto you, and to 
salute you, and to deliver you our 
letters concerning the renewing of 

18 friendship and our brotherhood. And 
now ye shali do well if ye give us an 
answer thereto. 

19 And this is the copy of the letters 
which they sent to Onias: 

20 Arius king of the Spartans to Onias 

21the chief priest, greeting: It hath 
been found in writing, concerning the 
Spartans and the Jews, that they are 
brethren, and that they are of the 

22 stock of Abraham: and now, since 
this is come to our knowledge, ye 
shall do well to write unto us of your 

232 prosperity. And we moreover do 
write on our part to you, that your 
cattle and goods are ours, and ours 
are yours. We do command there- 
fore that they make report unto you 
on this wise. 

24 And Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ 
princes were returned to fight against 
him with a greater host than afore, 

25 and he removed from Jerusalem, and 
met them in the country of Hamath ; 
for he gave them no respite to set foot 

26in his country. And he sent spies 
into his camp, and they came again, 
and reported to him that they were 
appointed in such and such a way to 
fall upon them in the night season. 

27 But so soon as the sun was down, 
Jonathan commanded his men to 
watch, and to be in arms, that all the 
night long they might be ready for 


150 





2 Gr. 
peace. 








vara dee 





12, 45. 


I. MACCABEES. 


/ 











battle: and he put forth sentinels 
28 round about the camp. And the ad- 
versaries heard that Jonathan and his 
men were ready for battle, and they 
feared, and trembled in their hearts, 
and they kindled fires in their camp?. 
29 But Jonathan and his men knew it 
not till the morning; for they saw the 
30 lights burning. And Jonathan pur- 
sued after them, and overtook them 
not; for they were gone over the river 
31 Eleutherus. And Jonathan turned 
aside to the Arabians, who are called 
Zabadzans, and smote them, and took 
32their spoils. And he set out from 
thence, and came to Damascus, and 
took his journey through all the coun- 
33 try. And Simon went forth, and took 
- his journey as far as Ascalon, and the 
strongholds that were near unto it. 
And he turned aside to Joppa, and 
34 took possession of it ; for he had heard 
that they were minded to deliver the 
stronghold unto the men of Deme- 
trius ; and he set a garrison there to 
keep it. = 
35 And Jonathan returned, and called 
the elders of the people together ; and 
he took counsel with them to build 


| 36 strongholds in Judea, and to make 


the walls of Jerusalem higher, and to 
raise a great mound between the 
citadel and the city, for to separate 
it from the city, that so it might 
be all alone, that men might neither 

37 buy nor sell. And they were gathered 
together to build the city, and there 
fell down part of the wall of the brook 
that is on the east side, and he repair- 
ed that which is called Chaphenatha. 

38 And Simon also built Adida in the 
2plain country, and made it strong, 
and set up gates and bars. 

39 And Tryphon sought to reign over 
Asia and to put on himself the diadem, 
and to stretch forth his hand against 

40 Antiochus the king. And he wasafraid 
lest haply Jonathan should not suffer 
him, and lest he should fight against 
him ; and he sought a way how to take 
him, that he might destroy him. And 
he removed, and came to Bethshan. 

41 And Jonathan came forth to meet him 
with forty thousand men chosen for 

42 battle, and came to Bethshan. And 
‘Tryphon saw that he came with a 
great host,and he was afraid tostretch 

43 forth his hand against him: and he 
received him honourably, and com- 
mended him unto all his * Friends, and 
gave him gifts, and commanded his 
forces to be obedient unto him, as unto 

44 himself. And he said unto Jonathan, 
Why hast thou put all this people 
to trouble, seeing there is no war 

45 betwixt us? And now send them 
away to their homes, but choose for 
thyself a few men who shall be with 
thee, and come thou with me to Pto- 
lemais, and I will give it up to thee, 





and the rest of the strongholds and 
the rest of the forces, and all the 
king’s officers : and I will return and 
depart; for this is the cause of my 
46coming. And he put trust in him, 
and did even as he said, and sent 
away his forces, and they departed in- 

47 to the land of Judah. But he reserved 
to himself three thousand men, of 
whom he left fwo thousand in Galilee, 
but one thousand went with him. 

48 Nowas soonas Jonathan entered into 
Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the 
gates, and laid hands on him; and 
all them that came in with him they 

49 slew with the sword. And Tryphon 
sent forces and horsemen into Galilee, 
and into the great plain, to destroy all 

50 Jonathan’s men. And they perceived 
that he was taken and had perished, 
and they that were with him; and 
they encouraged one another, and 
went on their way elose together, 

51 prepared to fight. And they that 
followed upon them saw that they 
were ready to fight for their lives, and 

52 turned back again. And they all came 
in peace into the land of Judah, and 
they mourned for Jonathan, and them 
that were with him, and they were sore 
afraid ; and all Israel mourned with 

53a great mourning. And all the Gen- 
tiles that were round about them 
sought to destroy them utterly: for 
they said, They have no ruler, nor any 
to help them: now therefore let us 
fight against them, and take away 
their memorial from among men. 

18 And Simon heard that Tryphon had 
gathered together a mighty host to 
come into the land of Judah, and 

2 destroy it utterly. And he saw that 
the people trembled and was in great 
fear; and he went up to Jerusalem, 

3 and gathered the people together ; and 
he encouraged them, and said unto 
them, Ye yourselves know all the 
things that I, and my brethren, and 
my father’s house, have done for the 
laws and the sanctuary, and the battles 
and the distresses which we have seen: 

4 by reason hereof all my brethren have 
perished for Israel’s sake, and I am 

5 left alone. And now be it far from 
me, that I should spare mine own life 
in any time of affliction ; for I am not 

6 better than my brethren. Howbeit I 
willtake vengeance for my nation, and 
for the sanctuary, and for our wives 
and children ; because all the Gentiles 
are gathered to destroy us of very 

7 hatred. And the spirit of the people 
revived, as soon as they heard these 

8 words. And they answered with a 
loud voice, saying, Thou art our leader 
instead of Judas and Jonathan thy 

9brother. Fight thou our battles, and 
all that thou shalt say unto us, that 

10 will we do. And he gathered together 
all the men of war, and made haste 


151 





13. 10. 














13. 29. 


I. MACCABEES. 


13. 47. 





1 Gr. 
pan- 
oplies. 





to finish the walls of Jerusalem, and 

11 he fortified it round about. And he 
sent Jonathan the son of Absalom, 
and with him a great host, to Joppa: 
and he cast out them that were there- 
in, and abode there in it. 

12 And Tryphon removed from Ptole- 
mais with a mighty host to enter into 
the land of Judah, and Jonathan was 

13 with him in ward. But Simon en- 
camped at Adida, over against the 

14 plain. And Tryphon knew that Simon 
was risen up instead of his brother 
Jonathan, and meant to join battle 
with him, and he sent ambassadors 

15 unto him, saying, It is for money 
which Jonathan thy brother owed unto 
the king’s treasure, by reason of the 
offices which he had, that we hold 

16 him fast. And now send a hundred 
talents of silver, and two of his sons 
for hostages, that when he is set at 
liberty he may not revolt from us, 

17 and we will set him at liberty. And 
Simon knew that they spake unto him 
deceitfully ; and he sendeth the money 
and the children, lest peradventure he 
should procure to himself great hatred 

18 of the people, and they should say, 
Because I sent him not the money and 

19the children, he perished. And he 
sent the children and the hundred 
talents. And he dealt falsely, and did 

20 not set Jonathan at liberty. And after 
this Tryphon came to invade the land, 
and destroy it, and he went round 
about by the way that leadeth unto 
Adora: and Simon and his army 
marched over against him to every 

21 place, wheresoever he went. Now 
they of the citadel sent unto Tryphon 
ambassadors, hastening him to come 
unto them through the wilderness, and 

22 to send them victuals. And Tryphon 
made ready all his horse to come: and 
on that night there fell a very great 
snow, and he came not by reason of 
the snow. And he removed, and came 

23 into the country of Gilead. But when 
he came near to Bascama, he slew 
Jonathan, and he was buried there. 

24And Tryphon returned, and went 
away into his own land. 

25 And Simon sent, and took the bones 
of Jonathan his brother, and buried 
him at Modin, the city of his fathers. 

26 And all Israel made great lamentation 
over him, and mourned for him many 

27 days. And Simon built @ monwment 
upon the sepulchre of his father and 
his brethren, and raised it aloft to the 
sight, with polished stone behind and 

28 before. And he set up seven pyra- 
mids, one over against another, for 
his father, and his mother, and his 

29 four brethren. And for these he made 
cunning devices, setting about them 
great pillars, and upon the pillars he 
fashioned 1all manner of arms for a 
perpetual memory, and beside the 





larms ships carved, that they should 
be seen of all that sail on the sea. 

30 This is the sepulchre which he made 
at Modin, and it is there unto this day. 

31 Now Tryphon dealt deceitfully with 
the young king Antiochus, and slew 

32 him, and reigned in his stead, and put 
on himself the diadem of Asia, and 
brought a great calamity upon the 

33 land. And Simon built the strong- 
holds of Judzea, and fenced them 
about with high towers, and great 
walls, and gates, and bars; and he 
laid up victuals in the strongholds. 

34 And Simon chose men, and sent to 
king Demetrius, to the end he should 
give the country an immunity, because 
all that Tryphon did was to plunder. 

35 And king Demetrius sent unto him 
according to these words, and an- 
swered him, and wrote a letter unto 
him, after this mannér: 

36 King Demetrius unto Simon the high 
priest and ? Friend of kings, and unto 
the elders and nation of the Jews, 

37 greeting: The golden crown, and the 
palm branch, which ye sent, we have 
received: and we are ready to make a 
3 stedfast peace with you, yea,and to 
write unto our officers, to grant im- 

38 munities unto you. And whatsoever 
things we confirmed unto you, they 
are confirmed; and the strongholds, 
which ye have builded, let them be 

39 your own. As for any oversights and 
faults committed unto this day, we 
forgive them, and the crown which ye 
owed us: and if there were any other 
toll exacted in Jerusalem, let it be 

40 exacted no longer. And if there be 
any among you meet to be enrolled 
in our court, let them be enrolled, and 
let there be peace betwixt us. 

41 In‘the hundred and seventieth year 


was the yoke of the heathen taken i 


42 away from Israel. And the people 
began to write in their instruments 
and contracts, In the first year of 
Simon the great high priest and cap- 
tain and leader of the Jews. 

43 In those days he encamped against 
5Gazara, and compassed it round 
about with armies; and he made an 
‘engine of siege, and brought it up to 
the city, and smote a tower, and took 

44 it. And they that were in the engine 
leaped forth into the city; and there 

45 was a great uproar in the city: and 
they of the city rent their clothes, and 
went up on the walls with their wives 
and children, and cried with a loud 
voice, making request to Simon to give 

46 them ‘his right hand. And they said, 
Deal not with us according to our 
wickednesses, but according to thy 

47 merey. And Simon was reconciled 
unto them, and did not fight against 
them: and he put them out of the 
city, and cleansed the houses wherein 
the idols were, and so entered into it 


152 





2 See ch. 
ii. 18. 


3 Gr. 
great. 


— saat iene 














14, 10. 


I. MACCABEES. 


14, 27. 





3 Gr. im- 
lements 





48 with singing and giving praise. And 
he put all uncleanness out of it, and 
placed in it such men as would keep 
the law, and made it stronger than it 
was before, and built therein a dwell 
ing place for himself. 

49 But they of the citadel in Jerusalem 
were hindered from going forth, and 
from going into the country, and from 
buying and selling; and they hungered 
exceedingly, and a great number of 

50 them perished through famine. And 
they cried out to Simon, that he should 
give them his right hand; and he gave 
it tothem : and he put them out from 
thence, and he cleansed the citadel 

51 from its pollutions. And he entered 
into it on the three and twentieth day 
of the second month, in 1 the hundred 
and seventy and first year, with praise 
and palm branches, and with harps, 
and with cymbals, and with viols, and 
with hymns, and with songs: because 
a great enemy was destroyed out of 

52 Israel. And he ordained that they 
should keep that day every year with 
gladness. And the hill of the temple 
that was by the citadel he made 
stronger than before, and there he 

53 dwelt, himself and his men. And 
Simon saw that John his son was a 
valiant man, and he made him leader 
of all his forces: and he dwelt in 


Gazara. 

14 And in *the hundred and seventy 
and second year king Demetrius ga- 
thered his forces together, and went 
into Media, to get him help, that he 

2 might fight against Tryphon. And Ar- 
saces, the king of Persia and Media, 
heard that Demetrius was come into 
his borders, and he sent one of his 

3 princes to take him alive : and he went 
and smote the army of Demetrius, and 
took him, and brought him to Arsaces; 
and he put him in ward. 

4 And the land had rest all the days of 
Simon: and he sought the good of his 
nation; and his authority and his glory 
was well-pleasing to them all his days. 

5 And amid all his glory he took Joppa 
for a haven, and made it an entrance 

6for the isles of the sea; and he en- 
larged the borders of his nation, and 

7 gat possession of the country ; and he 
gathered together a great number of 
captives, and gat the dominion of 
Gazara, and Bethsura, and the citadel, 
and he took away from it its unclean- 
nesses ; and there was none that re- 

8 sisted him. And they tilled their land 
in peace, and the land gave her in- 
erease, and the trees of the plains 

9 their fruit. The ancient men sat inthe 
streets, they communed all of them 
together of good things, and the young 
men put on glorious and warlike ap- 

10 parel. He provided victuals for the 
cities, and furnished them with * all 
manner of munition, until the name of 


153 





his glory was named unto the end of 
1l1the earth. He made peace in the 
land, and Israel rejoiced with great 

12 joy: and they sat each man under his 
vine and his fig tree, and there was 

13 none to make them afraid: and there 
eeased in the land any that fought 
against them: and the kings were 

14 discomfited in those days. And he 
strengthened all those of his people 
that were brought low: the law he 
searched out, and every lawless and 

15 wicked person he took away. He 
glorified the sanctuary, and the ves- 
sels of the temple he multiplied. 

16 And it was heard at Rome that Jona- 
than was dead, and even unto Sparta, 

17 and they were exceeding sorry. But 
as soon as they heard that his brother 
Simon was made high priest in his 
stead, and ruled the country, and the 

18 cities therein, they wrote unto him on 
tables of brass, to renew with him the 
friendship and the confederacy which 
they had confirmed with Judas and 

19 Jonathan his brethren; and they 
were read before the congregation at 

20 Jerusalem. And this is the copy of 
the letters which the Spartans sent: 

The rulers of the Spartans, and the 
city, unto Simon the high priest, and 
unto the elders, and the priests, and 
the residue of the people of the Jews, 

21 our brethren, greeting : The ambassa- 
dors that were sent unto our people 
made report to us of your glory and 
honour: and we were glad for their 

22 coming, and we did register the things 
that were spoken by them in the 
*public records after this manner: 
Numenius son of Antiochus, and Anti- 
pater son of Jason, the Jews’ ambas- 
sadors, came unto us to renew the 

23 friendship they had with us. And it 
pleased the people to entertain the 
men honourably, and to put the copy 
of their words in the * public records, 
to the end that the people of the 
Spartans might have a memorial 
thereof: moreover they wrote a copy 
of these things unto Simon the high 
priest. 

24 After this Simon sent Numenius to 
Rome with a great shield of gold of a 
thousand pound weight, in order to 
confirm the confederacy with them. 

25 But when the people heard these 
things, they said, What thanks shall 

26 we give to Simon and his sons? for 
he and his brethren and the house 
of his father have made themselves 
strong,and have chased away in fight 
the enemies of Israel from them, and 

27 confirmed liberty to ®Israel. And 

they wrote on tables of brass, and set 

them upon pillars in mount Sion: and 
this is the copy of the writing : 

On the eighteenth day of Elul, in 

2the hundred and seventy and second 

year, and this is the third year of 
L* 





6 Gr. 
him. 











14, 42. 


I. MACCABEES. 


15. 8. 








1 Per- 
haps a 
Hebrew 
title of 
Simon 
under- 
lies these 
words. 
2 Gr. 
he made 
known. 


3 Some 
authori- 
ties read 
acts. 


4 See ch. 
ii. 18. 





28 Simon the high priest,+in Asaramel, 
in a great congregation of priests and 
people and princes of the nation, and 
of the elders of the country, * was it 

29 notified unto us: Forasmuch as often- 
times there have been wars in the 
country, but Simon the son of Matta- 
thias, the son of the sons of Joarib, 
and his brethren, put themselves in 
jeopardy, and withstood the enemies 
of their nation, that their sanctuary 
and the law might be established, and 
glorified their nation with great glory: 

30and Jonathan assembled their na- 
tion together, and became their high 
priest, and was gathered to his peo- 

31 ple: and their enemies purposed to 
invade their country, that they might 
destroy their country utterly, and 
stretch forth their hands against their 

32 sanctuary: then rose up Simon, and 
fought for his nation, and spent much 
of his own substance, and armed the 
valiant men of his nation, and gave 

33 them wages: and he fortified the 
cities of Judza, and Bethsura that 
lieth upon the borders of Judza, 
where the arms of the enemies were 
aforetime, and set there a garrison of 

34 Jews: and he fortified Joppa which 
is upon the sea, and Gazara which is 
upon the borders of Azotus, wherein 
the enemies dwelt aforetime, and 
placed Jews there, and set therein all 
things convenient for the reparation 

35 thereof: and the people saw the 
3 faith of Simon, and the glory which 
he thought to bring unto his nation, 
and they made him their leader and 
high priest, because he had done all 
these things, and for the justice and 
the faith which he kept to his nation, 
and for that he sought by all means 

36 to exalt his people: and in his days 
things prospered in his hands, so that 
the Gentiles were taken away out of 
their country, and they also that were 
in the city of David, they that were in 
Jerusalem, who had made themselves 
a citadel, out of which they issued, 
and polluted all things round about 
the sanctuary, and did great hurt 

37 unto its purity ; and he placed Jews 
therein, and fortified it for the safety 
of the country and the city, and made 

38 high the walls of Jerusalem: and king 
Demetrius confirmed to him the high 
priesthood according to these things, 

39and made him one of his * Friends, 
and honoured him with great honour ; 

40 for he had heard say, that the Jews 
had been called by the Romans friends 
and confederates and brethren, and 
that they had met the ambassadors of 

41 Simon honourably ; and that the Jews 
and the priests were well pleased that 
Simon should be their leader and 
high priest for ever, until there should 

42 arise a faithful prophet; and that he 
should be captain over them, and 





should take charge of the sanctuary, 
to set them over their works, and over 
the country, and over the arms, and 
over the strongholds; and that he 
should take charge of the sanctuary, 

43 and that he should be obeyed by all, 
and that allinstruments in the country 
should be written in his name, and 
that he should be clothed in purple, 

44 and wear gold; and that it should not 
be lawful for any of the people or of 
the priests to set at nought any of 
these things, or to gainsay the words 
that he should speak, or to gather an 
assembly in the country without him, 
or to be clothed in purple, or wear a 

45 buckle of gold; but whosoever should 
‘do otherwise, or set at nought any of 
these things, he should be liable to 

46 punishment. All the people consent- 
ed to ordain for Simon that he should 

47 do according to these words; and Si- 
mon accepted hereof, and consented 
to be high priest, and to be captain 
and ° governor of the Jews and of the 
priests, and to be protector of all. 

48 And they commanded to put this 
writing on tables of brass, and to set 
them up within the precinct of the 
sanctuary in a conspicuous place; 

49 and moreover to put the copies there- 
of in the treasury, to the end that 
Simon and his sons might have them. 

15 And Antiochus son of Demetrius 
the king sent letters from the isles of 
the sea unto Simon the priest and 
5 governor of the Jews, and to all the 

2 nation; and the contents thereof were 
after this manner: 
King Antiochus to Simon the chief 
priest and ‘governor, and to the 
3 nation of the Jews, greeting: Foras- 
much as certain pestilent fellows have 
made themselves masters of the king- 
dom of our fathers, but my purpose 
is to claim the kingdom, that I may 
restore it as it was before; and more- 
over I have raised a multitude of 
foreign soldiers, and have prepared 
4 ships of war; moreover I am minded 
to land in the country, that I may 
punish them that have destroyed our 
country, and them that have made 
many cities in the kingdom desolate : 
5 Now therefore I confirm unto thee all 
the exactions which the kings that 
were before me remitted unto thee, 
and whatsoever gifts besides they 
6remitted unto thee: and I give thee 
leave to coin money for thy country 
7 with thine own stamp, but that Jeru- 
salem and the sanctuary should be 
free: and all the arms that thou hast 
prepared, and the strongholds that 
thou hast built, which thou hast in 
thy possession, let them remain unto 
8thee: and everything owing to the 
king, and the things that shall be 
owing to the king from henceforth 
and for evermore, let them be remit- 


154 


6 Gr. eth- 
narch. 








: 
] 
. 
| 














15. 25. 


I. MACCABEES. 


15. 41. 








§ted unto thee: moreover, when we 
shall have established our kingdom, 
we will glorify thee and thy nation 
and-the temple with great glory, so 
that your glory shall be made mani- 
fest in all the earth. 

10 In tthe hundred and seventy and 
fourth year went Antiochus forth into 
the land of his fathers; and all the 
forces came together unto him, so that 
there were few men with Tryphon. 

11 And king Antiochus pursued him, 
and *he came, as he fied, unto Dor, 

12 which is by the sea: for he knew that 
troubles were come upon him all at 
once, and that his forces had for- 

13 saken him. And Antiochus encamped 
against Dor, and with him a hundred 
and twenty thousand men of war, and 

14 eight thousand horse. And he com- 
passed the city round about, and the 
ships joined in the attack from the 
sea ; and he vexed the city by land 
and sea, and suffered no man to go 
outorin. 

15 And Numenius and his company 
came from Rome, having letters to 
the kings and to the countries, where- 
in were written these things: 

16 Lucius, consul of the Romans, unto 

17 king Ptolemy, greeting: The Jews’ 
ambassadors came unto us as our 
friends and confederates, to renew 
the old friendship and confederacy, 
being sent from Simon the high priest, 
and from the people of the Jews: 

18moreover they brought a shield of 

19 gold of a thousand pound. Itpleased 
us therefore to write unto the kings 
and unto the countries, that they 
should not seek their hurt, nor fight 
against them, and their cities, and 
their country, nor be confederates 
with such as fight against them. 

20 Moreover it seemed good to us to 

21 receive the shield of them. If there- 
fore any pestilent fellows have flied 
from their country unto you, deliver 
them unto Simon the high priest, that 
he may take vengeance on them ac- 
cording to their law. 

22 And the same things wrote he to De- 
metrius the king, and to Attalus, and 

23 to Arathes, and to Arsaces, and unto 
all the countries, and to *Sampsa- 
mes, and to the Spartans, and unto 
Delos, and unto Myndos, and unto 
Sicyon, and unto Caria, and unto 
Samos, and unto Pamphylia, and unto 
Lycia, and unto Halicarnassus, and 
unto Rhodes, and unto Phaselis, and 
unto Cos, and unto Side, and unto 
Aradus, and Gortyna, and Cnidus, and 

24 Cyprus, and Cyrene. But the copy 
hereof they wrote to Simon the high 
priest. 

25 But Antiochus the king encamped 
against Dor the second day, bringing 
his forces up to it continually, and 
making engines of war, and he shut up 





26 Tryphon from going in or out. And 
Simon sent him two thousand chosen 
men to fight on his side; and silver, 
and gold, and instruments of war in 

27 abundanee. And he would not receive 
them, but set at nought all the cove- 
nants which he had made with him 
aforetime, and was estranged from 

28him. And he sent unto him Atheno- 
bius, one of his * Friends, to commune 
with him, saying, 

Ye hold possession of Joppa and 
Gazara, and the citadel that is in 
Jerusalem, cities of my kingdom. 

29 The borders thereof ye have wasted, 
and done great hurt in the land, and 
got the dominion of many places in 

30 my kingdom. Now therefore deliver 
up the cities which ye have taken, 
and the tributes of the places whereof 
ye have gotten dominion without the 

31 borders of Judza: or else give me for 
them five hundred talents of silver; 
and for the harm that ye have done, 
and the tributes of the cities, other 
five hundred talents: or else we will 
come and subdue you. 

32 And Athenobius the king’s + Friend 
came to Jerusalem; and he saw the 
glory of Simon, and the cupboard of 
gold and silver vessels, and his great 
attendance, and he was amazed; and 
he reported to him the king’s words. 

33 And Simon answered, and said unto 
him, 

We have neither taken other men’s 
land, nor have we possession of that 
which appertaineth to others, but of 
the inheritance of our fathers ; how- 
beit, it was had in possession of our 
enemies wrongfully for a certain time. 

34 But we, having opportunity, hold fast 

35 the inheritance of our fathers. But 
as touching Joppa and Gazara, which 
thou demandest, they did great harm 
among the people throughout our 
country, we will give a hundred tal- 
ents for them. 

And he answered him not a word, 

36 but returned in a rage to the king, 
and reported unto him these words, 
and the glory of Simon, and all that 
he had seen: and the king was ex- 

37 ceeding wroth. But Tryphon em- 
barked on board a ship, and fied to 
Orthosia. 

38 And the king appointed Cendebzeus 
chief captain of the sea coast, and 
gave him forces of foot and horse: 

39and he commanded him to encamp 
before Judza, and he commanded him 
to build up Kidron, and to fortify the 
gates, and that he should fight against 
the people: but the king pursued Try- 

40 phon. And Cendebzus came to Jam- 
nia, and began to provoke the people, 
and to invade Judza, and to take the 

41 people captive, and to slay them. And 
he built Kidron, and set horsemen 
there, and forces of foot, to the end 


155 





4 
ii 


See ch. 
. 18. 











I. MACCABEES. 


16. 24. 











that issuing out they might make out- 
roads upon the ways of Juda, ac- 
cording as the king commanded him. 
16 And John went up from Gazara, and 
told Simon his father what Cendebzeus 

2 was doing. And Simon called his two 
eldest sons, Judas and John, and said 
unto them, I and my brethren and my 
father’s house have fought the battles 
of Israel from our youth, even unto 
this day; and things have prospered 
in our hands, that we should deliver 
3 Israel oftentimes. But now 1am old, 
and ye moreover, by his mercy, are of 
a sufficient age: be ye instead of me 
and my brother, and go forth and 
fight for our nation; but let the help 
which is from heaven be with you. 
4 And he chose out of the country 
twenty thousand men of war and 
horsemen, and they went against 
5 Cendebzeus, and slept at Modin. And 
rising up in the morning, they went 
into the plain, and, behold, a great 
host came to meet them, of footmen 
and horsemen: and there was a brook 
6 betwixt them. And he encamped 
over against them, he and his people: 
and he saw that the people were 
afraid to pass over the brook, and he 
passed over first, and the men saw 
7 him, and passed over after him. And 
he divided the people, and set the 
horsemen in the midst of the footmen: 
but the enemies’ horsemen were ex- 
8ceeding many. And they sounded 
with the trumpets; and Cendebzeus 
and his army were put to the rout, 
and there fell of them many wounded 
to death, but they that were left fied 
9to the stronghold: at that time was 
Judas John’s brother wounded: but 
John pursued after them, till he came 
unto Kidron, which Cendebeus had 
10 built; and they fled unto the towers 
that are in the fields of Azotus; and 
he burned it with fire ; and there fell 
of them about two thousand men. 
And he returned into Judza in peace. 
11 And Ptolemy the son of Abubus had 
been appointed captain for the plain 
of Jericho, and he had much silver and 
12 gold; for he was the high priest’s son 





13inlaw. And his heart was lifted up, 
and he was minded to make himself 
master of the country, and he took 
counsel deceitfully against Simon and 
his sons, to make away with them. 

14 Now Simon was visiting the cities 
that were in the country, and taking 
eare for the good ordering of them; 
and he went down to Jericho, himself 
and Mattathias and Judas his sons, 
in tthe hundred and seventy and 
seventh year, in the eleventh month, 

15 the same is the month Sebat: and the 
son of Abubus received them deceit- 
fully into the little stronghold that is 
called Dok, which he had built, and 
made them a great banquet, and hid 

16 men there. And when Simon and 
his sons had drunk freely, Ptolemy 
and his men rose up, and took their 
arms, and came in upon Simon into 
the banqueting place, and slew him, 
and his two sons, and certain of his 

17 servants. And he committed a great 
iniquity, and recompensed evil for 

18 good. And Ptolemy wrote these 
things, and sent to the king, that he 
should send him forces to aid him, and 
should deliver him their country and 

19the cities. And he sent others to 
Gazara to make away with John: 
and unto the captains of thousands he 
sent letters to come unto him, that he 
might give them silver and gold and 

20 gifts. And others he sent to take pos- 
session of Jerusalem, and the mount 

21 of the temple. And one ran before 
to Gazara, and told John that his fa- 
ther and brethren were perished, and 

22 he hath sent to slay thee also. And 
when he heard, he was sore amazed; 
and he laid hands on the men that 
eame to destroy him, and slew them; 
for he perceived that they were seek- 
ing to destroy him. 

23 And the rest of the acts of John, and 
of his wars, and of his valiant deeds 
which he did, and of the building of 
the walls which he built, and of his 

24 doings, behold, they are written in 
the 2 chronicles of his high priesthood, 
from the time that he was made high 
priest after his father. 


156 





2 Gr. 
book of 
days. 














oe ern) ee 


a es eee ee 








4 Or, 


5 See ch. 


Viii. 9. 





THE SECOND BOOK OF THE 


MACCABEES. 


1 THE brethren, the Jews that are in 
Jerusalem and they that are in the 
country of Judza, send greeting to the 
brethren, the Jews that are through- 
out Egypt, and wish them good 

2 peace: and may God do good unto 
you, and remember his covenant with 
Abraham and Isaae and Jacob, his 

3 faithful servants; and give you all 
a heart to worship him and do his 
1pleasure with a great heart and a 

4 willing soul; and open your heart in 
his law and in his statutes, and make 

5 peace, and hearken to your supplica- 
tions, and be reconciled with you, and 

6 not forsake you in an evil time. And 

7 now we here are praying for you. In 
the reign of Demetrius, in the hundred 
threescore and ninth year, we the 
Jews have already written unto you 
in the tribulation and in the extrem- 
ity that hath come upon us in these 
years, from the time that Jason and 
his company revolted from the holy 

8land and the kingdom, and set the 
2 gate on fire, and shed innocent blood: 
and we besought the Lord, and were 
heard; and we offered sacrifice and 
meal offering, and we lighted the 
lamps, and we set forth the *shew- 

9 bread. And now see that ye keep the 
days of the feast of tabernacles of 

10 the month Chislevy. Written in the 
hundred fourscore and eighth year. 


THEY thatare in Jerusalem and they 
that are in Judza and the senate and 
Judas, unto Aristobulus, king Pto- 
lemy’s teacher, who is also of the 
stock of the anointed priests, and un- 
to the Jews that are in Egypt, send 

11 greeting and health. Having been 
saved by God out of great perils, as 
men arrayed against a king, we thank 

12 him greatly. For himself cast forth 
into Persia them that arrayed them- 
selves * against us in the holy city. 

13 For when the prince was come there, 
and the army with him that seemed 
irresistible, they were cut to pieces 
in the temple of Nanza by the treach- 

14ery of Nanza’s priests. For Antio- 
chus, on the pretence that he would 
marry her, came into the place, he 
and his ° Friends that were with him, 
that they might take a great part of 
the treasures in name of a dowry. 

15 And when the priests of Nanza’s 
temple had set *the treasures forth, 
and he was come there with a small 





company within the wall of the pre 
cincts, they shut to the temple when 
16 Antiochus was come in: and opening 
the secret door of the panelled cieling, 
they threw stones and 7 struck down 
the prince, and they hewed § him and 
his company in pieces, and smote off 
their heads, and cast them to those 


17 that were without. Blessed be our | °% 


God in all things, who gave for a 
a them that had committed impi- 


18 Whereas we are now about to keep 
the purification of the temple in the 
month Chislev, on the five and twen- 
tieth day, we thought it necessary to 
certify you thereof, that * ye also may 
keep a feast of tabernacles, and a me- 
morial of the fire which was given 
when Nehemiah offered sacrifices, 
after that he had builded both the 

19temple and the altar. For indeed 
when our fathers were about to be 
led into the land of Persia, the godly 
priests of that time took of the fire of 
the altar, and hid it privily in the 
hollow of a well that was without 
water, wherein they made #éé sure, so 
that the place was unknown to all 

20men. Now after many years, when it 
pleased God, Nehemiah, having re- 
eeived a charge from the king of 
Persia, sent in quest of the fire the de- 
scendants of the priests that hid it. 
When they declared to us that they 

21 had found no fire, but thick water, he 
commanded them to draw out thereof 
and bring to him: and when *° the sac- 
rifices had been offered on the altar, 
Nehemiah commanded the priests to 
sprinkle with the water both the wood 

22 and the things laid thereupon. And 
when it was done, and some time had 
passed, and the sun shone out, which 
before was hid with clouds, there was 
kindled a great blaze, so that all men 

23 marvelled. And the priests made a 
prayer while the sacrifice: was con- 
suming, both the priests and all others, 
Jonathan leading and the rest answer- 

24ing, as Nehemiah did. And the 
prayer was after this manner: 

O Lord, Lord God, the Creator of all 
things, who art terrible and strong 
and righteous and merciful, who alone 

25 art King and gracious, who alone sup- 
pliest every need, who alone art right- 
eous and almighty and eternal, thou 
that savest Israel out of all evil, who 
madest the fathers thy chosen, and 


157 





10 Gr.the 














II. MACCABEES. 


2. 22. 





1 Some 
authori- 
ties read 
that 
great 
stones 





26 didst sanctify them: accept the sacri- 
fice for all thy people Israel, and guard 
thine own portion, and consecrate it. 

27 Gather together our Dispersion, set 
at liberty them that are in bondage 
among the heathen, look upon them 
that are despised and abhorred, and 
let the heathen know that thou art our 

28 God. Torment them that oppress us 
and in arrogancy shamefully entreat 

29us. Plant thy people in thy holy 
place, even as Moses said. 

30 And thereupon the priests sang the 

3lhymns. And as soon as the sacrifice 
was consumed, then Nehemiah com- 
manded ! to pour on great stones the 

32 water that was left. And when this 
was done, a flame was kindled; ? but 
when the light from the altar * shone 
over against it, all was consumed. 

33 And when the matter became known, 
and it was told the king of the Per- 
sians, that, in the place where the 
priests that were led away had hid 
the fire, there appeared the water, 
wherewith also Nehemiah and they 
that were with him purified the sacri- 

34 fice, then the king, inclosing the place, 
made it sacred, after he had proved 

35 the matter. And when the king would 
shew favour to any, he would take 
from them many presents and give 

36 them some of this water. And Ne- 
hemiah and they that were with him 
ealled this thing Nephthar, which is 
by interpretation, Cleansing; but 
most men call it Nephthai. 

9, It is also found in the records, that 
Jeremiah the prophet commanded 
them that were carried away to take of 
the fire, as hath been signified above: 

2and how that the prophet charged 
them that were carried away, having 
given them the law, that they should 
not forget the statutes of the Lord, 
neither be led astray in their minds, 
when they saw images of gold and 
silver, and the adornment thereof. 

3 And with other such words exhorted 
he them, that the law should not de- 

4part from their heart. And it was 
contained in the writing, that the pro- 
phet, being warned of God, command- 
ed that the tabernacle and the ark 
should follow with him, * when he 
went forth into the mountain where 
Moses went up and beheld the herit- 

5 age of God. And Jeremiah came and 
found 5a chamber in the rock, and 
there he brought in the tabernacle, 
and the ark, and the altar of incense; 

6 and he made fast the door. And some 
of those that followed with him came 
there that they might mark the way, 

7 and could not find it. But when Jere- 
miah perceived it, he blamed them, 
saying, Yea and the place shall be un- 
known until God * gather the people 

8 again together, and mercy come: and 
then shall the Lord disclose these 





things, and the glory of the Lord shall 
be seen, and the 7 cloud. 

As also it was shewed with Moses; 
as also Solomon besought that the 
place might be consecrated greatly, 

9 and it was also declared that he, hay- 
ing wisdom, offered a sacrifice of dedi- 
cation, and of the finishing of the 
temple; so we would have it now. 

10 As Moses prayed unto the Lord, and 
fire came down out of heaven and 
consumed the sacrifice, even so prayed 
Solomon also, and the fire came down 
and consumed the burnt offerings ; 

11(8and Moses said, Because the sin 
offering had not been eaten, it was 
consumed in like manner with the 

12 ,rest;) and Solomon kept the eight 
days. 

13 And the same things were related 
®both in the public archives and in 
10 the records that concern Nehemiah; 
and how he, founding a library, ga- 
thered together the books about the 
kings and prophets, and the books of 
David, and letters of kings about sa- 

14 cred gifts. And in like manner Judas 
also gathered together for us all those 
writings that had been scattered by 
reason of the war that befell, and they 


15 are still withus. If therefore ye have 
need thereof, send some to fetch them 
unto you. 


16 Seeing then that we are about to 
keep the purification, we write unto 
you; ye will therefore do well if ye 

17 keep the days. Now God, who saved 
all his people, and restored the herit- 
age to all, and the kingdom, and the 

18 priesthood, and the hallowing, even 
as he promised through the law, — in 
God have we hope, that he will quick- 
ly have mercy upon us, and gather ws 
together out of “all the earth into the 
holy place: for he delivered us out of 
great evils, and purified the place. 





19 Now the things concerning Judas 
Maccabeeus and his brethren, and the 
purification of the #? great temple, and 

20 the dedication of the altar, and further 
the wars against Antiochus Epipha- 

21nes, and Eupator his son, and the 
manifestations that came from heaven 
unto those that vied with one another 
in manful deeds for the religion of the 
Jews; so that, being but a few, they 
13 rescued the whole country, and chas- 

22ed the barbarous multitudes, and 


158 





7 Or, 
cloud 


as... 2 
ire 


8 See 
Lev. x. 
16 and 
ix. 24. 


9 Or, 
also 

10 Or, 
Nehe- 
miah’s 
records 


11Gr. the 
earth 
under 


| heaven. 


12 Gr. 
greatest. 


13 Gr. 
took for 
a prey. 





f 
. 
q 
: 
] 
{ 
: 











II. MACCABEES. 








3 Or, 
the past 





recovered again the temple renowned 
all the world over, and freed the city, 
and restored the laws which were like 
_. to be overthrown, seeing the Lord be- 
came ‘gracious unto them with all 
23 forbearance: these things, J say, which 
have been declared by Jasonof Cyrene 
in five books, we will assay to abridge 
24in one work. For having in view the 
confused mass of the numbers, and 
the ? difficulty which awaiteth them 
that would enter into the narratives 
of the history, by reason of the abun- 
25 dance of the matter, we were careful 
_ that they who choose to read may be 
attracted, and that they who wish well 
to our cause may find it easy to recall 
3what we have written, and that all 
26 readers may have profit. And al- 
though to us, who have taken upon us 
the painful labour of the abridgement, 
the task is not easy, but a matter of 
27 sweat and watching (even as it is no 
light thing unto him that prepareth a 
banquet, and seeketh the benefit of 
others); yet.for the sake of the grati- 
tude of the many we will gladly en- 
28 dure the painful labour, leaving to the 
historian the exact handling of every 
particular, and again ‘having no 
strength to ° fill in the outlines of our 
29abridgement. For as the master- 
builder of a new house must care for 
the whole *structure, and again he 
that undertaketh to ‘decorate and 
paint it must seek out the things fit 
for the adorning thereof; even so I 
30 think it is also with us. To occupy 
the ground, and to ‘indulge in long 
discussions, and to be curious in par- 
ticulars, becometh the first author of 
31 the history : but to strive after brevity 
of expression, and to avoid a laboured 
fulness in the treatment, is to be 
granted to him that would bring a 
32 writing into a new form. Here then 
let us begin the narration, only adding 
thus much to that which hath been 
already * said; for itis a foolish thing 
to make a long prologue to the history, 
and to abridge the history i¢se//. 


3 WHEN the holy city was inhabited 
with all peace, and the laws were kept 
very well, because of the godliness of 
Onias the high priest, and his hatred 

2 of wickedness, it came to pass that 
even the kings themselves did honour 
the place,and glorify the temple with 

3 the noblest presents; insomuch that 
even Seleucus the king of Asia of his 
own revenues bare all the costs be- 
longing to the services of the sacrifices. 

+ But one Simon of the tribe of Ben- 
jamin, having been made guardian of 
the temple, fell out with the high priest 
about the? ruling of the market in the 

5 city. And when he could not over- 





come Onias, he gat him to Apollonius 
the son of “ Thraszus, who at that 
time was governor of Coelesyria and 
6 Pheenicia: and he brought him word 
how that the treasury in Jerusalem 
was full of untold sums of money, so 
that the multitude of the funds was 
innumerable, and that they did not 
pertain to the account of the sacrifices, 
but that it was possible that these 
should fall under the king’s power. 
7 And when Apollonius met the king, 
he informed him of the money where- 
of he had been told; and the king 
appointed Heliodorus, who was his 
chancellor, and sent him with a com- 
mandment to accomplish the removal 
8 of the aforesaid money. So forthwith 
Heliodorus took his journey, under a 
colour of visiting the cities of Ccoelesy- 
ria and Phoenicia, but in fact to exe- 
9 cute the king’s purpose. And when 
he was come to Jerusalem, and had 
been courteously received by the high 
priest “ofthe city, he laid before 
13 them an account of the information 
which had been given him, and de- 
clared wherefore he was come; and 


he inquired if in truth these things | ) 57 


10 were so. And the high priest explain- 
ed to him that there were in the trea- 
sury deposits of widows and orphans, 

11 and moreover some money belonging 
to Hyreanus the son of Tobias, a man 
in very high place, '* and that the case 
was not as that impious Simon falsely 
alleged ; and that in all there were 
four hundred talents of silver and two 

12 hundred of gold; and that it was alto- 
gether impossible that wrong should 


be done unto them that had put trust | 0%” 


in the holiness of the place, and in the 
majesty and inviolable sanctity of the 
temple, honoured over all the world. 
13 But  Heliodorus, because of the 
king’s commandments given him, said 
that in any case this money must be 
confiscated for the king’s treasury. 
14 So having appointeda day, heentered 
in to direct the inquiry concerning 
these matters ; and there was no small 
distress throughout the whole city. 
15 And the priests, prostrating them- 
selves before the altar in their priestly 
garments, and looking toward heaven, 
called upon him that gave the law 
concerning deposits, that he should 
preserve these treasures safe for those 
16 that had deposited them. And who- 
soever saw the mien of the high priest 
was wounded in mind; for his counte- 
nance and the change of his colour 
17 betrayed the distress of his soul. For 
a terror and a shuddering of the body 
had come over the man, whereby the 
pain that was in his heart was plainly 
shewn to them that looked upon him. 
18 And they that were in the houses 
rushed flocking out to make a univer- 
sal supplication, because the place 


159 





15 Some 
authori- 
ties read 
the 
other. 














3. 33. 


II. MACCABEES. 





1 Or, 
porches 


2 Gr. 


safe 
sale all 
security. 


3 Gr. 

mani- 
Festa- 
tion. 





19 was like to come into contempt. And 
the women, girt with sackcloth under 
their breasts, thronged the streets, and 
the virgins that were kept in ward ran 
together, some to the 1 gates, others 
to the walls, and some looked out 

20 through the windows. And all, stretch- 
ing forth their hands toward heaven, 

21 made their solemn supplication. Then 
it would have pitied a man to see the 
multitude prostrating themselves all 
mingled together, and the expectation 
of the high priest in his sore distress. 

22 While therefore they called upon the 
Almighty Lord to keep the things in- 
trusted to them ?safe and sure for 

23 those that had intrusted them, Helio- 
dorus went on to execute that which 

24 had been decreed. But when he was 
already present there with his guards 
over against the treasury, the Sove- 
reign of spirits and of all authority 
caused a great * apparition, so that all 
that had presumed to come in with 
him, stricken with dismay at the power 
of God, fainted and were sore afraid. 

25 For there was seen by them a horse 
with a terrible rider upon him, and 
adorned with beautiful trappings, and 
he rushed fiercely and smote at Helio- 
dorus with his forefeet, and it seemed 
that he that sat upon the horse had 

26 complete armour of gold. Two other 
also appeared unto him, young men 
notablein their strength, and beautiful 
in their glory, and splendid in their 
apparel, who stood by him on either 
side, and scourged him unceasingly, 
inflicting on him many sore stripes. 

27 And when he had fallen suddenly unto 
the ground, and great darkness had 
come over him, his guards caught him 

28up and put him into a litter, and 
earried him, him that had just now 
entered with a great train and all his 
guard into the aforesaid treasury, 
himself now brought to utter help- 
lessness, manifestly made to recog- 

29 nise the sovereignty of God. And so, 
while he, through the working of God, 
speechless and bereft of all hope and 

30 deliverance, lay prostrate, they bless- 
ed the Lord, that made marvellous his 
own place; and the temple, which a 
little afore was full of terror and 
alarm, was filled with joy and gladness 
after the Almighty Lord appeared. 

31 But quickly certain of Heliodorus’s 
familiar friends besought Onias to call 
upon the Most High, and grant life to 
him who lay quite at the last gasp. 

32 And the high priest, secretly fearing 
lest the king might come to think that 
some treachery toward Heliodorus 
had been perpetrated by the Jews, 
brought a sacrifice for the deliverance 

33 of the man. But as the high priest 
was making the propitiation, the same 
young men appeared again to Helio- 
dorus, arrayed in the same garments ; 





and they stood and said, Give Onias 
the high priest great thanks, for for 
his sake the Lord hath granted thee 

34 life ; and do thou, since thou hast been 
scourged from heaven, publish unto 
all men the sovereign majesty of God. 
And when they had spoken these 

35 words, they vanished out of sight. So 
Heliodorus, having offered a sacrifice 
unto the Lord and vowed # great 
vows unto him that had saved his life, 
and having graciously received Onias, 
returned with his host to the king. 

36 And he testified to all men the works 
of the * great God which he had be- 
held with his eyes. 

37 And when the king asked Heliodo- 
rus, what manner of man was fit to 
be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, 

38 he said, If thou hast any enemy or 
conspirator against the state, send 
him thither, and thou shalt receive 
him back well scourged, if he even 
escape with his life; because of a 
truth there is about the place a power 

39 of God. For he that hath his dwelling 
in heaven himself hath his eyes upon 
that place, and helpeth it; and them 
that come to hurt it he smiteth and 
destroyeth. 

40 And such was the history of Helio- 
dorus and the keeping of the treasury. 

4 But the aforesaid Simon, he who had 
given information of the money, and 
had betrayed his country, slandered 
Onias, saying that it was he who had 
incited Heliodorus, and made himself 

2the author of these evils. And him 
that was the benefactor of the city, 
and the guardian of his fellow-country- 
men, and a zealot for the laws, he 
dared to call a conspirator against 

3the state. But when the growing 
enmity between them waxed so great, 
that even murders were perpetrated 
through one of *Simon’s trusted fol- 

4 lowers, Onias, seeing the *danger of 
the contention, and that 7 Apollonius 
the son of Menestheus, the governor 
of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was in- 

5 creasing Simon’s malice, betook him- 
self to the king, not to be an accuser 
of his fellow-citizens, but looking to 
the good of all the * people, both pub- 

6 lic and private; for he saw that with- 
out the king’s providence it was im- 
possible for the state to obtain peace 
any more, and that Simon would not 
cease from his madness. 

7 But when Seleucus was deceased, 
and Antiochus, who was called Epi- 
phanes, succeeded to the kingdom, 
Jason the brother of Onias supplanted 

8 his brother in the high priesthood, hay- 
ing promised unto the king at an au- 
dience three hundred and threescore 
talents of silver, and owt of another 

9 fund eighty talents; and beside this, 
he undertook to assign a hundred and 
fifty more, if it might be allowed him 


160 





4 Gr. 
greatest, 














IIl.. MACCABEES. 


4. 36. 








* 1through the king’s authority to set 
him up a Greek place of exercise and 
_ form a body of youths to be trained 

’ therein,and to register the inhabitants 
of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch. 

10 And when the king had given assent, 
and he had gotten possession of the 
office, he forthwith brought over them 
of his own race to the Greek fashion. 

11 And setting aside the royal ordinances 
of special favour to the Jews, granted 
by the means of John the father of 
Eupolemus, who went on the ambas- 
sage to the Romans for friendship and 
alliance, and seeking to overthrow the 
lawful modes of life, he brought innew 

12 customs forbidden by the law: for he 
eagerly established a Greek place of 
exercise under the citadel itself; and 
eaused the noblest of the young men 

13 to wear the Greek cap. And thus there 
was an extreme of Greek fashions, and 
an advance of an alien religion, by rea- 
son of the exceeding profaneness of 
Jason, that ungodly man and no high 

14 priest; sothat the priests had no more 
any zeal for the services of the altar: 
but despising the sanctuary, and neg- 
lecting the sacrifices, they hastened 
to *enjoy that which was unlawfully 
provided in the palestra, after the 

15 summons *of the discus; making of 
no account the honours of their fa- 
thers, and thinking the glories of the 

16 Greeks best of all. By reason where- 
of sore calamity beset them; and the 
men whose ways of living they ear- 
nestly followed, and unto whom they 
desired to be made like in all things, 
these they had to be their enemies and 

17 to punish them. For itis not a light 
thing to do impiously against the laws 
of God: but ‘these things the time 
following shall declare. 

18 Now when certain games that came 
every fifth year were keptat Tyre, and 

19 the king was present, the vile Jason 
sent sacred envoys, ‘as being Anti- 
ochians of Jerusalem, bearing three 
hundred drachmas of silver to the 
sacrifice of Hercules, which even the 
bearers thereof thought not right to 
use for any sacrifice, because it was 
not fit, but to *expend on another 

20 charge. And though in the purpose 
of the sender this money was for the 
sacrifice of Hercules, yet on account 
of7 present circumstances it went to 
the equipment of the galleys. 

21 Now when Apollonius the son of 
Menestheus was sent into Egypt for 
the * enthronement of Ptolemy Philo- 
metor as king, Antiochus, learning 
that Ptolemy had shewn himself ill 
affected toward his state, took thought 
for the security of his realm; where- 
fore, going by sea to Joppa, he trav- 

22elled on to Jerusalem. And being 
magnificently received by Jason and 
the city, he was brought in with 


161 





torches and shoutings. This done, he 
afterward led his army down into 
Pheenicia. 

23 Now after a space of three years 
Jason sent Menelaus, the aforesaid 
Simon’s brother, to bear the money 
unto the king, and to * make reports 
concerning some necessary matters. 

24 But he being commended to the king, 
and 1? having glorified “himself ” by 
the display of his authority, got the 
high priesthood for himself, outbid- 
ding Jason by three hundred talents 

25 of silver. And having received the 
royal mandates he came to Jerusalem, 


bringing nothing worthy the high | 4 


priesthood, but having the passion of 
a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a sav- 

26 age beast. And whereas Jason, who 
had supplanted his own brother, was 
supplanted by another and driven as 
a fugitive into the country of the Am- 

27 monites, Menelaus had possession of 
the office: but of the money that had 
been promised to the king nothing 
was duly paid, and that though 
Sostratus the governor of the citadel 

28 demanded it (for unto him appertained 
the gathering of the revenues); for 
which cause they were both called by 

29 the king to his presence. And Mene- 
laus left his own brother Lysimachus 
for his **deputy in the high priest- 
hood; and Sostratus lJeft Crates, who 
was over the Cyprians. 

30 Now while such was the state of 
things, it came to pass that they of 
Tarsus and Mallus made insurrection, 
because they were to be given as a 
present to Antiochis, the king’s con- 

31 cubine. The king therefore came to 
Cilicia in all haste to settle matters, 
leaving for his #* deputy Andronicus, 

32a man of high rank. And Menelaus, 
supposing that he had gotten a favour- 
able opportunity, presented to Andro- 
nicus certain vessels of gold belonging 
to the temple, which he had stolen: 
other vessels also he had already sold 
into Tyre and the cities round about. 

33 And when Onias had sure knowledge 
of this, he sharply reproved him, hav- 
ing withdrawn himself into a sanctu- 
ary at Daphne, that lieth by Antioch. 

34 Wherefore Menelaus, taking Andro- 
nicus apart, prayed him to kill Onias. 
And coming to Onias, and 1° being per- 
suaded to use treachery, and being 
received as a friend, Andronicus gave 
him his right hand with oaths of fidel- 
ity, and, though he was suspected by 
him, so persuaded him to come forth 
of the sanctuary; and forthwith he 
17 despatched him without regard of 

35 justice. For the which cause not only 


Jews, but many also of the other | % 


nations, had indignation and dis- 

pleasure at the unjust murder of 

36 the man. And when the king was 

come back again from the places in 
Mu 




















II. MACCABEES. 








2 Or, 
rent his 





Cilicia, the Jews that were tin the 
eity pleaded before him against 
Andronicus (the Greeks also joining 
with them in hatred of the wicked- 
ness), urging that Onias had been 

37 wrongfully slain. Antiochus therefore 
was heartily sorry, and was moved to 
pity, and wept, because of the sober 
and well ordered life of him that was 

38 dead; and being inflamed with pas- 
sion, forthwith he stripped off An- 
dronicus’s purple robe, and ? rent off 
his under garments, and when he had 
led him round through the whole city 
unto that very place where he had 
committed impiety against Onias, 
there he put the murderer out of the 
way, the Lord rendering to him the 
punishment he had deserved. 

39 Now when many sacrileges had been 
committed in the city by Lysimachus 
with the consent of Menelaus, and 
when the bruit thereof was spread 
abroad outside, the people gathered 
themselves together against Lysima- 
chus, after many vessels of gold had 

40 been already dispersed. And when 
the multitudes were rising against 
him, and were filled with anger, Ly- 
simachus armed about three thousand 
men, and with unrighteous violence 
began the conflict, one Hauran, a man 
far gone in years and no less also in 

41 madness, leading the attack. But 
when they perceived the assault of 
Lysimachus, some caught up stones, 
others logs of wood, and some took 
handfuls of the ashes that lay near, 
and they flung them all pell-mell 
upon Lysimachus and them that were 

42 with him; by reason of which they 
wounded many of them, and some 
they struck to the ground, and. all of 
them they forced to flee, but the au- 
thor of the sacrilege himself they 
killed beside the treasury. 

43 But touching these matters there was 
an accusation laid against Menelaus. 

44 And when the king was come to Tyre, 
the three men that were sent by the 
senate pleaded the cause before him. 

45 But Menelaus, seeing himself now 
defeated, promised much money to 
Ptolemy the son of Dorymenes, that 

46 he might win over the king. Where- 
upon Ptolemy taking the king aside 
into a cloister, as it were to take the 
air, brought him to be of another 

47 mind: and him that was the cause of 
all the evil, Menelaus, he discharged 
from the accusations ; but those hap- 
less men, who, if they had pleaded 
even before Scythians, would have 
been discharged uncondemned, them 

48 he sentenced to death. Soon then did 
they that were spokesmen for the 
city and the families of Israel and the 
holy vessels suffer that unrighteous 

49 penalty. For which cause even certain 
Tyrians, moved with hatred of the 





wickedness, provided magnificently 
50 fortheir burial. But Menelausthrough 
the covetous dealings of them that 
were in power remained still in his 
office, * cleaving to wickedness, as a 


great conspirator against his fellow- § 


citizens. 
5 Now about this time Antiochus made 

2 his second inroad into Egypt. And it 
so befell that throughout all the city, 
for the space of almost forty days, 
there appeared in the midst of the 
sky horsemen in swift motion, wear- 
ing robes inwrought with gold and 
carrying spears, equipped in troops 
for battle; and drawing of swords; 

3and on the other side squadrons of 
horse in array; and encounters and 
5 pursuits of both armies; and shak- 
ing of shields, and multitudes of 
lances, and casting of darts, and 
flashing of golden trappings, and gird- 

4 ing on of all sorts of armour. Where- 
fore all men besought that the ® vision 
might have been given for good. 

5 But whena false rumour had arisen 
that Antiochus was deceased, Jason 
took not less than a thousand men, 
and suddenly 7 made an assault upon 
the city ; and they that were upon the 
wall being routed, and the city being 
now at length well nigh taken, Mene- 

6 laus took refuge in the citadel. But 
Jason slaughtered his own citizens 
without mercy, not considering that 
good success against kinsmen is the 
greatest ill success, but supposing 
himself to be setting up trophies over 
enemies, and not over fellow-country- 

Tmen. The office however he did not 
get, but, receiving shame as the end 
of his conspiracy, he passed again 
a fugitive into the country of the 

8 Ammonites. Atthe last therefore he 
met with a miserable end: having 
been § shut up at the court of Aretas 


the prince of the Arabians, fleeing | & 


from city to city, pursued of all men, 
hated as an apostate from the laws, 
and held in abomination as the 
butcher of his country and his fellow- 
citizens, he was cast forth into Egypt; 
9and he that had driven many from 
their own country into strange lands 
perished himself in a strange land, 
having crossed the sea to the Lacedz- 
monians, as thinking to find shelter 
there because they were ® near of kin; 
10 and he that had cast out a multitude 
unburied had none to mourn for him, 
nor had he any funeral at all, or 
place in the sepulehre of his fathers. 
11 Now when tidings came to the king 
concerning that which was done, he 
thought that Judza was in revolt; 
whereupon setting out from Egypt in 
a furious mind, he took the city by 
12 force of arms, and commanded his 
soldiers to eut down without mercy 
such as came in their way, and to slay 


162 








ee 











ae ——— Se 


ee ee 








II. MACCABEES. 


6. 12. 








13 such as went up upon the houses ; and 
there was killing of young and old, 
making away of boys, women, and 
children, slaying of virgins and in- 

14 fants. "And in all the three days of 
the slaughter there were destroyed 
fourscore thousand, whereof forty 
thousand were slain in close combat, 
and no fewer were sold than slain. 

15 But not content with this he presumed 
to enter into the most holy temple of 
all the earth, having Menelaus for his 
guide (him that had proved himself 

_atraitor both to the laws and to his 

16 country), even taking the sacred ves- 
sels with his polluted hands, and drag- 
ging down with his profane hands 
the offerings that had been dedicated 
by other kings to the augmentation 
and glory and honour of the place. 

17 And Antiochus was lifted up in mind, 
not seeing that because of the sins 
of them that dwelt in the city the 
Sovereign Lord had been provoked to 
anger a little while, and therefore his 
eye was then turned away from the 

18 place. But had it not so been that 
they were already holden by many 
sins, this man, even as Heliodorus 
who was sent by Seleucus the king 
to view the treasury, would, so soon 
as he pressed forward, have been 
scourged and turned back from his 

19 daring deed. Howbeit the Lord did 
not choose the nation for the place’s 
sake, but the place for the nation’s 

20 sake. Wherefore also the place itself, 
having partaken in the calamities that 
befell the nation, did afterward share 
in its benefits; and the place which 
was forsaken in the wrath of the Al 
mighty was, at the reconciliation of 
the great Sovereign, restored again 
with all glory. 

21 As for Antiochus, when he had ear- 
ried away out of the temple a thousand 
and eight hundred talents, he departed 
in all haste unto Antioch, weening in 
his arrogancy to make the land navi- 
gable and the sea passable by foot, 

22 because his heart was lifted up. And 
moreover he left governors to afflict 
the race: at Jerusalem, Philip, by 
race a Phrygian, and in character 
more barbarous than him that set 

23 him there; and at Gerizim, Androni- 
cus; and ‘pesides these, Menelaus, 
who worse than all the rest exalted 
himself against his fellow-citizens. 
And having a malicious mind 1 toward 
the Jews 2whom he had made his 


| 24 citizens, he sent that *lord of pollu- 


tions Apollonius with an army of two 
and twenty thousand, commanding 
him to slay all those that were of full 
age, and to sell the women and the 
25 younger men. And he coming to Je- 
rusalem, and playing the man of 
peace, waited till the holy day of the 
sabbath, and finding the Jews at rest 





from work, he commanded his men to 

26 parade inarms. And he put to the 
sword all them that came forth to the 
spectacle; and running into the city 
with the armed men he slew great 

27 multitudes. But Judas, who is also 
called Maccabezeus, with nine others 
or thereabout, withdrew himself, and 
with his company kept himself alive 
in the mountains after the manner of 
wild beasts ; and they continued feed- 
ing on‘ such poor herbs as grew there, 
that they might not be partakers of 
the threatened pollution. 

6 And not long after this the king sent 
forth > an old man of Athens to compel 
the Jews to depart from the laws of 
their fathers, and not to live after the 

2 laws of God; and also to pollute the 
sanctuary in Jerusalem, and to call it 
by the name of * Jupiter Olympius, and 
to call the sanctuary in Gerizim by 
the name of® Jupiter the Protector of 
strangers, even as they 7 were that 

3 dwelt in the place. But sore and 
utterly grievous was the visitation of 

4this evil. For the temple was filled 
with riot and revellings by the hea- 
then, who * dallied with harlots, and 
had to do with women within the sa- 
ered precincts, and moreover brought 
inside things that were not befitting ; 

5 and *the place of sacrifice was filled 
with those abominable things which 

6 had been prohibited by the laws. And 
a man could neither keep the sabbath, 
nor observe the feasts of the fathers, 
nor so much as confess himself to be 

7a Jew. And on the day of the king’s 
birth every month they were led along 
with bitter constraint to eat of the 
sacrifices ; and when the * feast of 


Baechus came, they were compelled | -p; 


to go in procession in honour of @ Bac- 
8 chus, wearing wreaths of ivy. And 
there went out a decree to the neigh- 
bouring Greek cities, by the sugges- 
tion of Ptolemy, that they should 
observe the same conduct against the 
Jews, and should make them eat of 
9the sacrifices; and that they should 
slay such as did not choose to go over 
to the Greek rites. So the present 
10 misery was for all to see: for two 
women were brought up for having 
circumcised their children ; and these, 
when they had led them publicly 
round about the city, with the babes 
hung from their breasts, they cast 
11 down headlong from the wall. And 
others, that had run together into the 
caves near by to keep the seventh 
day secretly, being betrayed to Philip 
were all burnt together, because they 
serupled to defend themselves, from 
regard to the, honour of that most 
solemn day. 
12 I beseech therefore those that read 
this book, that they be not discou- 
raged because of the calamities, but 


163 


6 Gr. 
Zeus. 


7 Or, did 

















Il. MACCABEES. 





1 Or, 
when, 
our sins 
be come 
to their 
height 
2 Gr. 
end. 


7 Or, 
while I 
shall get 





account that these punishments were 
not for the destruction, but for the 

13 chastening of our race. For indeed 
that those who act impiously be not 
let alone any long time, but straight- 
way meet with retribution, is a sign 

14 of great beneficence. For in the case 
of the other nations the Sovereign 
Lord doth with longsuffering forbear, 
until that he punish them when they 
have attained unto the full measure 
of their sins; but not so judged he as 

15 touching us, that he may not take 
vengeance on us afterward, |! when we 
be come unto the ? height of our sins. 

16 Wherefore he never withdraweth his 
mercy from us; but though he chas- 
teneth with calamity, yet doth he not 

17 forsake his own people. Howbeit let 
this that we have spoken suffice to 
put you in remembrance; but after 
these few words we must come to the 
narrative. 

18 Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, 
a man already well stricken in years, 
and of a noble countenance, was com- 
pelled to open his mouth to eat swine’s 

19 flesh. But he, welcoming death with 
renown rather than life with pollution, 
advanced of his own accord to the 
instrument of torture, but first spat 

20 forth the flesh, coming forward asmen 
ought to come that are resolute to 
repel such things as not even for the 
natural love of life is it lawful to taste. 

21 But they that had the charge of that 
forbidden sacrificial feast took the 
man aside, for the acquaintance which 
of old times they had with him, and 
privately besought him to bring flesh 
of his own providing, such as was 
befitting for him to use, and to make 
as if he did eat of the flesh from the 
sacrifice, as had been commanded by 

22 the king; that by so doing he might 
be delivered from death, and for his 
ancient friendship with them might be 

23 treated kindly. But he, having formed 
a high resolve, and one that became 
his years, and the dignity of old age, 
and the gray hairs * which he had 
reached with honour, and his excellent 
¢ education from a child, °or rather 
that became the holy * laws of God’s 
ordaining, declared his mind accord- 
ingly, bidding them quickly send him 

24 unto Hades. For it becometh not our 
years to dissemble, said he, that 
through this many of the young 
should suppose that Eleazar, the man 
of fourscore years and ten, had gone 

25 over unto an alien religion; and so 
they, by reason of my dissimulation, 
and for the sake of this brief and 
momentary life, should be led astray 
because of me, 7 and thus I get to my- 
self a pollution and a stain of mine 

26 old age. For even if for the present 
time I shall remove from me the pun- 
ishment of men, yet shall I not escape 





the hands of the Almighty, either liv- 
27 ing or dead. Wherefore, by manfully 
parting with my life now, I will shew 
28 myself worthy of mine old age, and 
Sleave behind a noble ensample to 
the young to die willingly and nobly a 
glorious death for the reverend and 
holy laws. And when he had said 
these words, he went straightway to 
29the instrument of torture. ® And 
when they changed the good will they 


bare him a little before into ill will, | this 


because 1° these words of his were, as 

30 they thought, sheer madness, and 
when he was at the point to die with 
the “stripes, he groaned aloud and 
said, To the Lord, that hath the holy 
knowledge, it is manifest that, where- 
as I might have been delivered from 
death, I endure sore pains in my body 
by being scourged; but in soul I 
gladly suffer these things for my fear 

31lofhim. So this man also died after 
this manner, leaving his death for an 
ensample of nobleness and a memo- 
rial of virtue, not only to the young 
but also to the great body of his 
nation. 

"7 And it came to pass that seven bre- 
thren also with their mother were at 
the king’s command taken and shame- 
fully handled with scourges and cords, 
to compel them to taste of the abomin- 

2able swine’s flesh. But one of them 
made himself the spokesman and said, 
What wouldest thou ask and learn 
of us? for we are ready to die rather 
than transgress the laws of our fa- 

3 thers. And the king fell into a rage, 
and commanded to heat pans and 

4 caldrons: and when these forthwith 
were heated, he commanded to cut 
out the tongue of him that had been 

‘their spokesman, and to scalp him, 
and to cut off his extremities, the rest 
of his brethren and his mother look- 

5ing on. And when he was utterly 
12maimed, the king commanded to 
bring him to the fire, being yet alive, 
and to fry him in the pan. And as 
the vapour of the pan spread far, they 
and their mother also exhorted one 
another to die nobly, saying thus: 

6 The Lord God beholdeth, and in 
truth is “intreated for us, as Moses 
declared in 14 his song, which witness- 
eth against the people to their faces, 
saying, And he shall be * intreated 
for his servants. 

7 And when the first had died after 
this manner, they brought the second 
to the mocking; and they pulled off 
the skin of his head with the hair and 
asked him, Wilt thou eat, before thy 

8 body be punished inevery limb? But 
he answered in the language of his 
fathers and said to them, No. Where- 
fore he also underwent the next tor- 
ture in succession, as the first had 

9done. And when he was at the last 


164 





12 Gr. 
useless. 

















oe. 


II MACCABEES. 


7. 38. 





i: 


£33 





gasp, he said, Thou, miscreant, dost 
release us out of this present life, but 

_ the King of the world shall raise up 
us, who have died for his laws, unto 
an eternal renewal of life. 

10 And after him was the third made a 
mocking-stock. And when he was re- 
quired, he quickly put out his tongue, 
and stretched forth his hands cou- 

11 rageously, and nobly said, From hea- 
yen [possess these ; and for his laws’ 
sake I contemn these; and from him 

I hope to receive these back again: 

12 insomuch that the king himself and 
they that were with him were aston- 
ished at the young man’s-soul, for that 
he nothing regarded the pains. 

13 And when he too was dead, they 
shamefully handled and tortured the 

14fourth in like manner. And being 
come near unto death he said thus: 
It is good to die at the hands of men 
and look for the hopes which are 
given by God, that we shall be raised 
up again by him; for as for thee, thou 
shalt have no resurrection unto life. 

15 -And next after him they brought the 
fifth, and shamefully handled him. 

16 But he looked toward !the king and 
said, Because thou hast authority 
among men, though thou art thyself 
corruptible, thou doest what thou 
wilt ; yet think not that our race hath 

17 been forsaken of God; but hold thou 
on thy way, and behold his sovereign 
majesty, how it will torture thee and 
thy seed. 

18 And after him they brought the 
sixth. And when he was at the point 
to die he said, Be not vainly deceived, 
for we suffer these things for our own 
doings, as sinning against our own 
God: marvellous things are come to 

19 pass; but think not thou that thou 
shalt be unpunished, having assayed 
to fight against God. 

20 But above all was the mother mar- 
vellous and worthy of honourable 
memory; for when she looked on 
seven sons perishing within the space 
of one day, she bare the sight with a 
good courage for the hopes that she 

21 had set onthe Lord. And she exhort- 
ed each one of them in the language 
of their fathers, filled with a noble 
temper and stirring up her womanish 
thought with manly passion, saying 

22 unto them, I know not how ye came 
into my womb, neither was it I that 
bestowed on you your 2 spirit and your 
life, and it was not I that brought into 
order the first elements of each one 

23 of you. Therefore the Creator of the 
world, who fashioned the * generation 
of man and devised the * generation of 
all things, in mercy giveth back to you 
again both your * spirit and your life, 
as ye now contemn your own selves 


24for his laws’ sake. But Antiochus, 


thinking himself to be despised, and 





suspecting the reproachful voice, 
whilst the youngest was yet alive did 
not only make his appeal to him by 
words, but also at the same time pro- 
mised with oaths that he weuld enrich 
him and ‘raise him to high estate, if 
he would turn from the customs of his 
fathers, and that he would take him 
for his ® Friend and intrust him with 

25 affairs. But when the young man 
would in no wise give heed, the king 
called unto him his mother, and ex- 
horted her that she would counsel the 

26 lad to save himself. And when he had 
exhorted her with many words, she 

27 undertook to persuade her son. But 
bending toward him, laughing the 
cruel tyrant to scorn, she spake thus 
in the language of her fathers: My 
son, have pity upon me that carried 
thee nine months in my womb, and 
gave thee suck three years, and nour- 
ished and brought thee up unto this 

28 age, and sustained thee. I beseech 
thee, my child, to lift thine eyes unto 
the heaven and the earth, and to see 
all things that are therein, and thus 
to recognise that God made them not 
of things that were, and that the race 
of men in this wise cometh into being. 

29 Fear not this butcher, but, proving 
thyself worthy of thy brethren, accept 
thy death, that in the mercy of God 
I may receive thee again with thy 
brethren. 

30 But before she had yet ended speak- 
ing, the young man said, Whom wait 
ye for? IL obey not the commandment 
of the king, but I hearken to the com- 
mandment of the law that was given 

31 to our fathers through Moses. But 
thou, that hast devised all manner of 
evil against the Hebrews, shalt in no 

32 wise escape the hands of God. For 
we are suffering because of our own 

33 sins ; and if for rebuke and chastening 
our living Lord hath been angered a 
little while, yet shall he again be re- 

34 conciled with his own servants. But 
thou, O unholy man and of all most 
vile, be not vainly lifted up in thy wild 
pride with uncertain hopes, raising thy 
hand against the heavenly children; 

35 fornot yet hast thouescaped the judge- 
ment of the Almighty God that seeth 

36 all things. For these our brethren, 
having endured a ® short pain that 
bringeth everlasting life, have now 
7 died under God’s covenant; but thou, 
through the judgement of God, shalt 
receive in just measure the penalties 

37 of thine arrogancy. But I, as my bre- 
thren, give up both body and soul for 
the laws of our fathers, calling upon 
God that he may speedily become 
8 gracious to the nation ; and that thou 
amidst trials and plagues mayest con- 

38 fess that he alone is God ; and that in 
me and my brethren * thou mayest 
stay the wrath of the Almighty, which 


165 





stayed. 














II. MACCABEES. 


8. 24. 





phemies. 


3 The 
Greek 
text of 
verses 
6 and 7 
is un- 
certain. 


5 Or, 
resolved 


6 Gr. 
bodies. 





hath been justly brought upon our 
39 whole race. But the king, falling into 
a rage, handled him worse than all the 
rest, being exasperated at his mock- 
40ing. So he also died pure from pollu- 
tion, putting his whole trust in the 


Lord. 

41 And last of all after her sons the 
mother died. 

42 Let it then suffice to have said thus 
much concerning the enforcement of 
sacrificial feasts and the king’s ex- 
ceeding barbarities. 

8 But Judas, whois also called Macca- 
beeus, and they that were with him, 
making their way privily into the vil- 
lages, called unto them their kinsfolk ; 
and taking unto them such as had con- 
tinued in the Jews’ religion, gathered 

2 together as many as six thousand. And 
they called upon the Lord, beseech- 
ing him to look upon the people that 
was oppressed by all; and to have 
compassion on the sanctuary also 
that had been profaned by the ungod- 

3 ly men; and to have pity on the city 
also that was suffering ruin and 
ready to be made even with the 
ground; and to hearken to the blood 

4 that cried unto him ; and to remember 
also the lawless + slaughter of the in- 
nocent infants, and ? the blasphemies 
that had been committed against 
his name; and to shew his hatred of 

5 wickedness. And when Maccabzeus 
had trained his men for service, the 
heathen at once found him irresist- 
ible, for that the wrath of the Lord 

6 was turned into pity. * And coming 
unawares he set fire to cities and vil- 
lages. And in winning back the most 
important positions, putting to flight 

7 no small number of the enemies, he 
specially took advantage of the nights 
for such assaults. And his courage 
was loudly talked of everywhere. 

8 But when Philip saw the man gain- 
ing ground by little and little, and in- 
creasing more and more in his pro- 
sperity, he wrote unto Ptolemy, the 
governor of Coelesyria and Pheenicia, 
that he should support the king’s 

9 cause. And Ptolemy quickly appoint- 
ed Nicanor the son of Patroclus, one 
of the king’s * Chief Friends, and sent 
him, in command of no fewer than 
twenty thousand of all nations, to de- 
stroy the whole race of Judea; and 
with him he joined Gorgias also, a 
captain and one that had experience 

10 in matters of war. And Nicanor ®un- 
dertook by the sale of the captive 
Jews to make up for the king the tri- 
bute of two thousand talents which he 

11 was to pay to the Romans. And im- 
mediately he sent unto the cities 
upon the sea coast, inviting them to 
buy Jewish ® slaves, promising to 
allow fourscore and ten * slaves for 
a talent, not expecting the judgement 





that was to follow upon him from the 
Almighty. 

12 But tidings came to Judas concern- 
ing the inroad of Nicanor ; and when 
he communicated to them that were 
with him the presence of the army, 

13 they that were cowardly and distrust- 
ful of the judgement of God ‘ran 

14away and left the country. And 
others sold all that was left over to 
them, and withal besought the Lord 
to deliver them that had been sold as 
slaves by the impious Nicanor or ever 

15 he met them ; and this, if not for their 
own sakes, yet for the covenants made 
with their fathers, and because he 
had called them by his reverend and 

16 glorious name. And Maccabzeus ga- 
thered his men together, six thousand 
in number, and exhorted them not to 
be stricken with dismay at the,enemy, 
nor to fear the great multitude of the 
heathen who came wrongfully against 

17 them; but to contend nobly, setting 
before their eyes the outrage that 
had been lawlessly perpetrated upon 
the holy place, and the shameful 
handling of the city that had been 
turned to mockery, and further the 
overthrow of the mode of life received 

18 from their ancestors. For they, said 
he, trust to arms, and withal to deeds 
of daring; but we trust on the Al- 
mighty God, since he is able at a 
beck to cast down them that are com- 
ing against us, and even the whole 

19 world. And moreover he recounted 
unto them the help given from time 
to time in the days of their ancestors, 
both the help given in the days of 
Sennacherib, how that a hundred four- 

20 score and five thousand perished, and 
the help given in the land of Baby- 
lon, even the battle that was fought 
against the *Gauls, how that they 
came to the engagement eight thou- 
sand in all, with four thousand Mace- 
donians, and how that, the Macedo- 
nians being hard pressed, the * six 
thousand destroyed the hundred and 
twenty thousand, because of the suc- 
cour which they had from heaven, 

21 and took great booty. And when he 
had with these words made them of 
good courage, and ready to die for 
the laws and their country, he divided 

22 his army into four parts; * appointing 
his brethren to be with himself leaders 
of the several bands, to wit, Simon 
and Joseph and Jonathan, giving 
each the command of fifteen hundred 

23 men, and moreover Eleazar also: 
then, having read aloud the sacred 
book, and having given as watch- 
word, THE HELP OF Gop, leading the 
first band himself, he joined battle 

24with Nicanor. And, since the Al- 
mighty fought on their side, they slew’ 
of the enemy above nine thousand, 
and wounded and “ disabled the more 


166 














ite i 


ee On, 





asia ieetiin 
Yer ee 





8. 36. 


II. MACCABEES. 











part of Nicanor’s army, and compelled 
25 all to flee; and they took the money 
of those that had come there to buy 
them. And after they had pursued 
them for some ‘distance, they re- 

d, being constrained by the time 


turne 
| 26 of the day; for it was the day before 


the sabbath, and for this cause they 
made no effort to chase them far. 
272 And when they had gathered * the 
arms of the enemy together, and had 
stripped off their spoils, they occupied 
themselves about the sabbath, bless- 
ing and thanking the Lord exceed- 
ingly, who had saved them unto this 
day, for that he had caused a begin- 
ning of merey to distil upon them. 
28 And after the sabbath, when they 
“had givenof the spoils to the ¢maimed, 
and to the widows and orphans, the 
‘residue they distributed among them- 
29 selves and their children. And when 
they had accomplished these things, 
and had made a common supplica- 
tion, they besought the merciful Lord 

- to be wholly reconciled with his ser- 


vants. 
30° And having had an encounter with 
~ the forces of Timotheus and Bac- 
chides, they killed above twenty 
thousand of them, and made them- 
selves masters of strongholds exceed- 
ing high, and divided very much plun- 
der, giving the *maimed and orphans 
and widows, and moreover the aged 
also, an equal share with themselves. 


uxiliary | 312And when they had gathered the 


arms of the enemy together, they 
stored them all up carefully in the 
most important positions, and the 
residue of the spoils they carried to 
32 Jerusalem. And they killed the 
Sphylarch of Timotheus’s forces, a 
most unholy man, and one who had 
33 done the Jews much hurt. * And as 
they kept the feast of victory in the 
®city of their fathers, they burned 
those that had set the sacred ° gates 
on fire, and among them Callisthenes, 
who had fied into an outhouse; and 
so they received the meet reward of 
their impiety. 
34 And the thrice-accursed Nicanor, 
who had brought the thousand mer- 
35 chants to buy the Jews for slaves, be- 
ing through the help of the Lord 
humbled by them who in his eyes 
were held to be of least account, put 
off his gloriouS apparel, and passing 
through the midland, “shunning all 
company like a fugitive slave, arrived 
at Antioch, having, as he thought, 
had the greatest possible good ‘for- 
tune, though his host was destroyed. 
36 And he that had taken upon him to 
make tribute sure for the Romans by 
the captivity of the men of Jerusalem 
published abroad that the Jews had 
One who fought for them, and that 
18 because this was so the Jews were 





invulnerable, because they followed 
the laws ordained by him. 
Q Now about that time it befell that 
Antiochus had returned * in disorder 
2from the region of Persia. For he 
had entered into the city called Per- 


sepolis, and he assayed to rob “a : 


temple and to hold down the city. 
Whereupon there was an onset of the 
multitudes, and 1° Antiochus and his 
men turned to make defence with 
arms; and it came to pass that Antio- 


chus was put to flight by the people | 


of the country and broke up his camp 
3 with disgrace. And while he was at 
Ecbatana, news was brought him 
what had happened unto Nicanor and 
4 the forees of Timotheus. And being 
lifted up * by his passion he thought 
to make the Jews suffer even for the 
evil-doing of those that had put him 
to rout. Wherefore, the judgement 
from heaven even now accompanying 
him, he gave order to his charioteer 
to drive without ceasing and despatch 
the journey; for thus he arrogantly 
spake: I will make Jerusalem a com- 
mon graveyard of Jews, when I come 
5 there. But the All-seeing Lord, the 
God of Israel, smote him with a * fatal 
and invisible stroke; and as soon as 
he had ceased speaking this word, an 
incurable pain of the bowels seized 
him, and bitter torments of the inner 

6 parts; and that most justly, for he 
had tormented other men’s bowels 
with many and strange sufferings. 

7 But he in no wise ceased from his 
rude insolence; nay, still more was 
he filled with arrogancy, breathing 
fire in his passion against the Jews, 
and commanding to haste the jour- 
hey. But it came to pass moreover 
that he fell from his chariot as it 
rushed along, and having a grievous 
fall was racked in all the members of 
8his body. And he that but now sup- 
posed himself to have the waves of 
the sea at his bidding, so vainglorious 
was he beyond the condition of a man, 
and that thought to weigh the heights 

of the mountains in a balance, was 
now brought to the ground and car- 
ried in a litter,” shewing unto all that 
9the power was manifestly God’s; so 
that out of the body of the impious 
man worms swarmed, and while he 
was still living in anguish and pains, 
his flesh fell off, and by reason of the 
stench all the army turned with loath- 
10 ing from his corruption. And the man 
that a little afore supposed himself 
to touch the stars of heaven, no one 
could endure to carry for his intoler- 
liable stench. Hereupon therefore he 
began in great part to cease from his 
arroganecy, being broken in spirit, 
and to come to knowledge under the 
scourge of God, his pains increasing 
12 every moment. And when he himself 


167 


17 Or, in 
his spirit 


18 Gr. 
remedi- 
less. 














9. 26. 


II. MACCABEES. 


10, 12. 








1 Some 
authori- 
ties read 
be mind- 
ed as if 


‘ea 


2 Gr. 
build. 


3 Or, 
Ye fare 
well, and 


certain. 





could not abide his own smell, he said 
these words: It is right to be subject 
unto God, and that one who is mortal 
should not tbe minded arrogantly. 

13 And the vile man vowed unto the Sove- 
reign Lord, who now no more would 
have pity upon him, saying on this 

14 wise: that the holy city, to the which 
he was going in haste,to lay iteven with 
the ground and to ? make it acommon 

15 graveyard, he would declare free ; and 
as touching the Jews, whom he had 
decided not even to count worthy of 
burial, but to cast them out to the 
beasts with their infants, for the birds 
to devour, he would make them all 

16 equal to citizens of Athens; and the 
holy sanctuary, which before he had 
spoiled, he would adorn with goodliest 
offerings, and would restore all the 
sacred vessels many times multiplied, 
and out of his own revenues would 
defray the charges that were required 

17 for the sacrifices ; and, beside all this, 
that he would become a Jew, and 
would visit every inhabited place, pub- 

18 lishing abroad the might of God. But 
when his sufferings did in no wise 
cease, for the judgement of God had 
come upon him in righteousness, havy- 
ing given up all hope of himself, he 
wrote unto the Jews the letter writ- 
ten below, having the nature of a 
supplication, to this effect: 

19 To the worthy Jews, his fellow-citi- 
zens, Antiochus, king and general, 
wisheth much joy and health and pro- 

20 sperity. * May ye and your children 
fare well; and your affairs shall be 
to your mind. Having my hope in 

21 heaven, I remembered with affection 
your honour and good will toward me. 
Returning out of the region of Persia, 
and being taken with a noisome sick- 
ness, I deemed it necessary to take 
thought for the common safety of all, 

22 not despairing of myself, but having 
great hope to escape from the sick- 

23 ness. Butconsidering that my father 
also, at what time he led an army into 
the upper country, appointed his suc- 

24 cessor, to the end that, if anything fell 
out contrary to expectation, or if any 
unwelcome tidings were brought, they 
that remained in the country, know- 
ing to whom the state had been left, 

25 might not be troubled; and, beside all 
this, observing how that the princes 
that are borderers and neighbours 
unto my kingdom watch opportuni- 
ties, and look for the future event, I 
have appointed my son Antiochus to 
be king, whom I often committed and 
commended to most of you, when I 
was hastening unto the upper pro- 
vinces;and I have written to him what 

26 is written below. I exhort you there- 
fore and beseech you, having in your 
remembrance the benefits done to you 
in common and severally, to preserve 





each of you your present good will 

27 toward me and my son. For Lam per- 
suaded that he in gentleness and kind- 
ness will follow my purpose and treat 
you with indulgence. 

28 So the murderer and blasphemer, 
having endured the sorest sufferings, 
even as he had dealt with other men, 
ended his life among the mountains 
by a most piteous fate in a strange 

29land. And Philip his foster-brother 
conveyed the body home; and then, 
fearing the son of Antiochus, he be- 
took himself to Ptolemy Philometor in 


Egypt. 

10 And Maccabeeus and they that were 
with him, the Lord leading them on, 
recovered the temple and the city; 

2 and they pulled down the altars that 
had been built in the marketplace by 
the aliens, and also the walls of sacred 

3inclosures. And having cleansed the 
sanctuary they made another altar of 
sacrifice; and ‘striking stones and 
taking fire out of them, they offered 
sacrifices, after they had ceased for 
two years, and burned incense, and 
lighted lamps, and set forth the shew- 

4 bread. And when they had done these 
things, they fell prostrate and be- 
sought the Lord that they might fall 
no more into such evils; but that, if 
ever they should sin, they might be 
chastened by him with forbearance, 
and not be delivered unto blasphem- 

5 ing and barbarous heathen. Now on 
the same day that the sanctuary was 
profaned by aliens, upon that very 
day did it come to pass that the cleans- 
ing of the sanctuary was made, even 
on the five and twentieth day of the 

6same month, which is Chislev. And 
they kept eight days with gladness in 
the manner of the feast of tabernacles, 
remembering how that not long 
afore, during the feast of tabernacles, 
they were wandering in the mountains 
and in the caves after the manner 

7 of wild beasts. Wherefore bearing 
wands wreathed with leaves, and fair 
boughs, and palms also, they offered 
up hymns of thanksgiving to him that 
had prosperously brought to pass the 

8 cleansing of his own place. They or- 
dained also with a common statute 
and decree, for all the nation of the 
Jews, that they should keep these 
days every year. 

9 And *such was the end of Antiochus, 

10 who was called Epiphanes. But now 
will we declare what came to pass 
under Antiochus named * Eupator, 
who proved himself a true son of that 
ungodly man, and will gather up 
briefly the *suecessive evils of the 

11 wars. For this man, when he suc- 
ceeded to the kingdom, appointed one 
Lysias to be chancellor, and supreme 
governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia. 

12 For Ptolemy that was called Macron, 


168 





4 Gr. 
Jiring. 











a se 














II. MACCABEES. 





11.2 
setting an example of observing jus- their loins with sackcloth, in suppli- 
tice toward the Jews because of the | 26 cation to God, and falling down upon 
wrong that had been done unto them, the step in front of the altar, be- 
20Or,_. endeavoured to + conduct his dealings sought him to become * gracious to | 5 Gr. 
porch tices 13 with them on peaceful terms. Where- them, and * be an enemy to their ene- | Prop’ 
with upon being accused by the king’s mies and an adversary to their adver- | «6 gee 
2 See ch. 2 Friends before Eupator, and hear- | 27 saries,as the law declareth. And ris- | Ex._ 
esa ing himself called traitor at every ing from their prayer they took up | **# 22. 
turn, because he had abandoned Cy- their arms, and advanced some dis- 
prus which Philometor had intrusted tance from the city; and when they 
to him, and had withdrawn himself had come near to their enemies they 
unto Antiochus called Epiphanes, and | 287 halted. And when the dawn was | ? Gr. 
Reed $failing to uphold the honour of his now spreading, the two armies joined were by 
Seopa office, he took poison and made away battle; the one part having this, be- | selves. 
with himself. sidé their virtue, for a pledge of suc- 
i 14 But Gorgias, when he was made cess and victory, that they had fled 
governor of the district, maintained a unto the Lord for refuge, the others 
force of mercenaries, and at every king their passion their leader in 
15 turn kept up war with the Jews. And | 29 the strife. But when the battle wax- 
together with him the Idumzans also, ed strong, there appeared out of hea- 
being masters of important strong- ven unto their adversaries five menon 
holds, harassed the Jews; and receiv- horses with bridles of gold, in splendid 
ing unto them those that had taken array; *and two of them, leading on | s Some 
refuge there from Jerusalem, they as- % the Jews, and taking Maccabzeus in rr page 
16 sayed to keep up war. But Maccabzeus the midst of them, and covering him | anda 
and his men, having made solemn sup- with their own armour, guarded him ang 
plication and besought God to fight on from wounds, while on the adversaries | 7); : 
their side, rushed upon the strong- they shot forth arrows and thunder- | who also, 
17 holds of the Idumzans; and assault- bolts; by reason whereof they were | “*9- 
ing them vigorously they made them- blinded and thrown into confusion, 
selves masters of the positions, and and were cut to pieces, filled with be- 
kept off all that fought upon the wall, | 31 wilderment. And there were slain 
and slew those that fell in their way, twenty thousand and five hundred, 
and killed no fewer than twenty thou- beside six hundred horsemen. 
18sand. And because no less than nine | 32 But Timotheus himself fled into a 
thousand were fied into two towers stronghold called Gazara, a fortress of 
exceeding strong and having all things exceeding strength, *Chzreas being | 9 See 
19 needed for a siege, Maccabzeus, having | 33 in eommand there. But Maccabzeus | Ver- 37. 
left Simon and Joseph, and Zacchzeus and his men were glad and laid siege 
besides and them that were with him, to the fortress four and twenty days. 
a force sufficient to besiege them, de- | 34 And they that were within, trusting to 
parted himself unto places where he the strength of the place, blasphemed 
20 was most needed. But Simon and exceedingly, and hurled forth impious 
they that were with him, yielding to | 35 words. But at dawn of the five and 
covetousness, were bribed by certain twentieth day certain young men of 
of those that were in the towers, and the company of Maccabzus, inflamed 
receiving seventy thousand drachmas with passion because of the blasphe- 
21 let some of them slip away. But mies, assaulted the wall with mascu- 
when word was brought to Macca- line force and with furious passion, | 10 Gr. 
bzeus of what was done, he gathered and cut down whosoever came in their a Sy 
the leaders of the people together, | 36 way. And others climbing up in like | »ia 
and accused those men of haying sold manner, while the besieged were dis- | beasts. 





their brethren for money, by setting 
their enemies free to fight against 
22them. So he slew these men for hay- 
ing turned traitors, and forthwith took 

23 possession of the two towers. And 
prospering with his arms in all things 
he took in hand, he destroyed in the 
two strongholds more than twenty 
thousand. 

24 Now Timotheus,who had been before 
defeated by the Jews, having gathered 
together foreign forces in great multi- 
tudes, and haying collected the + horse- 
men which belonged to Asia, not a few, 
came as though he would take Judza 

25 by force of arms. But as he drew near, 
Maccabzus and his men sprinkled 
earth upon their heads and girded 


169 





tracted with them that had made 
their way within, set fire to the tow- 
ers, and kindling fires burned the 
blasphemers alive ; while others broke 
open the gates, and, having given en- 
trance to the rest of the band, occupied 
37 the city. And they slew Timotheus, 
who was hidden in a cistern, and his 
brother Chzreas, and Apollophanes. 

38 And when they had accomplished 

these things, they blessed the Lord 
with hymns and thanksgivings, him 
who doeth great benefits unto Israel, 
and giveth them the victory. 

11 Now after a very little time Lysias, 
the king’s guardian and kinsman and 
chancellor, being sore displeased for 

2 the things that had come to pass, col- 

M* 

















PY 1, 


II. MACCABEES. 


11. 35. 





heathen 


2 The 
Greek 
text here 
is un- 
certain. 


3 Gr. a 
panoply. 


4 Gr. 
wound. 


5 The 
Greek 
text here 
is cor- 
rupt. 


6 Gr. 
multi- 
tude. 
van 0) 
docu- 
ment 





lected about fourscore thousand foot- 
men and all his horsemen and came 
against the Jews, thinking to make 
the city a place for Greeks to dwell 
3 in, and to levy tribute on the temple, 
as 1 on the other sacred places of the 
nations, and to put up the high priest- 
4 hood to sale every year ; holding in no 
account the might of God, but puffed 
up with his ten thousands of footmen, 
and his thousands of horsemen, and 
5 his fourscore elephants. And coming 
into Judza and drawing near to Beth- 
suron, which was a strong place and 
distant from Jerusalem about ? five 
6 leagues, he pressed it hard. But when 
Maccabeeus and his men learned that 
he was besieging the strongholds, they 
and all the people with lamentations 
and tears made supplication unto the 
Lord to send a good angel to save 
7 Israel. And Maccabeeus himself took 
up arms first, and exhorted the nes 

to jeopard themselves together wit 
him and succour their brethren; and 
they sallied forth with him right will- 
8ingly. And as they were there, close 
to Jerusalem, there appeared at their 
head one on horseback in white ap- 
parel, brandishing * weapons of gold. 
9 And they all together praised the 
merciful God, and were yet more 
strengthened in heart: being ready to 
*assail not men only but the wildest 
10 beasts, and walls of iron, they ad- 
vanced in array, having him that is in 
heaven to fight on their side, for the 
11 Lordhad mercy onthem. And hurling 
themselves like lions upon the enemy, 
they slew of them eleven thousand 
footmen and sixteen hundred horse- 
12 men, and forced all the rest to flee. But 
the more part of them escaped wound- 
ed and naked; and Lysias also him- 
13 self escaped by shameful flight. But 
as he was a man not void of under- 
standing, weighing with himself the 
defeat which had befallen him, and 
considering that the Hebrews could 
not be overcome, because the Almighty 
God fought on their side, he sent again 
14unto them, and persuaded them to 
come to terms on condition that all 
their rights were acknowledged, and 
5promised that he would also per- 
suade the king to become their friend. 
15 And Maccabzeus gave consent upon 
all the conditions which Lysias pro- 
' posed to him, being careful of the 
common good; for whatsoever re- 
quests Maccabeeus delivered in writing 
unto Lysias concerning the Jews the 
16 king allowed. For the letters written 
unto the Jews from Lysias were to 

this effect: 

Lysias unto the * people of the Jews, 
17 greeting. John and Absalom, who 
were sent from you, having delivered 
the * petition written below, made re- 
quest concerning the things signified 





18 therein. What things soever there- 
fore had need to be brought before 
the king I declared to him, and what 

19 things were possible he allowed, If 
then ye will preserve your good will 
toward the state, henceforward also 
will I endeavour to contribute to your 

20 good. *And on this behalf I have 
given order in detail, both to these 
men and to those that are sent from 

21 me, to confer with you. Fare ye well. 
Written in the hundred forty and 
eighth year, on the four and twentieth 
day of the month ® Dioscorinthius. 

22 And the king’s letter was in these 
words: 

King Antiochus unto his brother Ly- 

23 sias, greeting. Seeing that our father 
passed unto the gods having the wish 
that the subjects of his kingdom 
1 should be undisturbed and give 
themselves to the care of their own 

24 affairs, we, having heard that the 
Jews do not consent to our father’s 
purpose to turn them unto the customs 
of the Greeks, but choose rather their 
own manner of living, and make re- 
quest that the customs of their law be 

25 allowed unto them, — choosing there- 
fore that this nation also should be 
free from ™ disturbance, we determine 
that their temple be restored to them, 
and that they live according to the 
customs that were in the days of their 

26 ancestors. Thou wilt therefore do 
well to send messengers unto them and 
give them the right hand of friend- 
ship, that they, knowing our mind, 
may be of good heart, and gladly oc- 
cupy themselves with the conduct of 
their own affairs. 

27 And unto the nation the king’s letter 
was after this manner: x 

King Antiochus to the senate of the 
Jews and to the other Jews, greeting. 
281£ ye fare well, we have our desire: 
we ourselves also are in good health. 

29 Menelaus informed us that your desire 
was to return home and follow your 

830 own business. They therefore that 
depart home up to the thirtieth day 
of Xanthicus shall have owr ¥ friend- 

31 ship, with full permission that the 
Jews use their own proper meats and 
observe their own laws, even as here- 
tofore; and none of them shall be in 
any way molested for the things that 

32 have been ignorantly done. Moreover 
I have sent Menelaus also, that he 

33 may encourage you. Fare ye well. 
Written in the hundred forty and 
eighth year, on the fifteenth day of 
Xanthicus. 

34 And the Romans also sent unto them 
a letter in these words: 

Quintus Memmius and Titus Mani- 
us, ambassadors of the Romans, unto 

35 the people of the Jews, greeting. In 
regard to the things which Lysias the 
king’s kinsman granted you, we also 


170 





11 Or, 
disquiet 


12 Gr 
right 
hand. 

















12, 12. 


II. MACCABEES. 


12. 24. 





» 
2 


fu 





36 give consent. But as for the things 
which he judged should be referred to 
the king, send one forthwith, after ye 
‘have advised thereof, that we may 

’ publish such decrees as befit your 
case; for we are on our way to An- 

‘27 tioch. Wherefore send some with 

speed, that we also may learn what is 

38 your mind. ‘Farewell. Written in 
the hundred forty and eighth year, on 
the fifteenth day of Xanthicus. 

12 Sowhen these covenants had been 
made, Lysias departed unto the king, 
‘and the Jews went about their hus- 
- bandry. 


2 But certain of the governors of dis- 


tricts, Timotheus and Apollonius the 
son of Gennzus, and Hieronymus also 
and Demophon, and beside them Nica- 
nor the governor of Cyprus, would 
not suffer them to enjoy tranquillity 
3 and livein peace. And men of Joppa 


perpetrated this great impiety: they }®™ joining lake, which was two furlongs € 


invited the Jews that dwelt among 
them to go with their wives and chil- 
‘dren into the boats which they had 
provided, as though they had no ill 
4 will towards them; and when *the 
Jews, * relying on the common decree 
of the city, accepted the invitation, 
as men desiring to live in peace and 
suspecting nothing, they took them 
out to sea and drowned them, in 
number not less than two hundred. 
5 But when Judas heard of the cruelty 
done unto his fellow-countrymen, giv- 
ing command to the men that were 
6 with him and calling upon God the 
righteous Judge, he came against the 
murderers of his brethren, and set 
the haven on fire by night, and burned 
the boats, and put to the sword those 
7 that had fled thither. But when the 
town was closed against him, he with- 
drew, intending to come again to root 
out the whole community of the men 
8 of Joppa. But learning that the men 
of Jamnia were minded to do in like 
manner unto the Jews that sojourned 
9among them, he fell upon the Jam- 
nites also by night, and set fire to the 
haven together with the fleet, so that 
the glare of the light was seen at Je- 
rusalem, two hundred and forty fur- 
longs distant. 

10 Now when they had drawn off nine 
furlongs from thence, as they marched 
against Timotheus, a@ host of Ara- 
bians attacked him, no fewer than 
five thousand footmen and five hun- 

1ldred horsemen. And when a sore 
battle had been fought, and Judas 
and his company by the help of God 
had good success, the nomads being 
overcome besought Judas to grant 
them friendship, promising to give 
him cattle, and to help ¢ his people in 

12all other ways. So Judas, thinking 
that they would indeed be profitable 
in many things, agreed to live in 





peace with them; and receiving 
pledges of friendship they departed 
13 to their tents. And he also fell upon 
a certain city > Gephyrun, strong and 
fenced about with walls, and inhabit 


ed by a mixed multitude of divers | th 


nations; and it was named Caspin. 
14 But they that were within, trusting 
to the strength of the walls and to 
their store of provisions, behaved 
themselves rudely toward Judas and 
them that were with him, railing, and 
furthermore blaspheming and speak- 
15ing impious words. But Judas and 
his company, calling upon the great 
Sovereign of the world, who without 
rams and cunning engines of war 


hurled down Jericho in the times of | G 


Joshua, rushed wildly against the 
16 wall; and having taken the city by 
the will of God, they made unspeaka- 
ble slaughter, insomuch that the ad- 


broad, appeared to be filled with the 
deluge of blood. 

17 And when they had drawn off seven 
hundred and fifty furlongs from 
thence, they made their way to Cha- 
rax, unto the Jews that are called 

18®*Tubieni. And Timotheus they found 
not in occupation of that district, for 
he had then departed from the district 
without accomplishing anything, but 


had left behind a garrison, and that 
1 


a very strong one,in a certain post. 
19 But Dositheus and Sosipater, who 
were of Maceabzeus’s captains, sallied 
forth and destroyed those that had 
been left by Timotheus in the strong- 
20 hold, above ten thousand men. And 
Maccabeus, ranging his own army by 
bands, set * these two over the bands, 
and marched in haste against Timo- 
theus, who had with him a hundred 
and twenty thousand footmen and two 
thousand and five hundred horsemen. 
21 But when Timotheus heard of the 
inroad of Judas, he at once sent away 
the women and the children and also 
the baggage into the fortress called 
7Carnion; for the place was hard to 
besiege and difficult of access by rea- 
son of the narrowness of the ap- 
22 proaches on all sides. But when the 


band of Judas, who led the van, | 43°4j 


appeared in sight, and when terror 
came upon the enemy and fear, be- 
cause the manifestation of him who 
beholdeth all things came upon them, 
they fled amain, carried this way and 
that, so that they were often hurt of 
their own men, and pierced with the 
23 points of their swords. And Judas 
continued the pursuit the more hotly, 
putting the wicked wretches to the 
sword, and he destroyed as many as 
24 thirty thousand men. But Timotheus 
himself, falling in with the company 
of Dositheus and Sosipater, besought 
them with much ®* crafty guile to let 


171 





8 Gr. 
| jugglery. 














IJ. MACCABEES. 





ties read 
weight. 
7 Or, his 
enemies 


10 Gr. 
Odol- 
m. 








him go with his life, because he had 
in his power the parents of many of 
them and the brethren of some: ! other- 
wise, said he, little regard will 2 be 

25 shewn to these. So when he had with 
many words confirmed the agreement 
to restore them without hurt, they let 
him go that they might save their 
brethren. 

26 And Judas, marching against * Car- 
nion and the temple of Atergatis, slew 
five and twenty thousand persons. 

27 And after he had put these to flight 
and destroyed them, he marched 
against Ephron also, a strong city, 
*wherein were multitudes of people 
of all nations; and stalwart young 
men placed on the walls made a 
vigorous defence; and there were 
great stores of engines and darts 

28there. But calling upon the Sove- 
reign who with might breaketh in 
pieces the ® strength of 7the ene 
they got the city into their hands, and 
slew aS many as twenty and five 
thousand of them that were within. 

29 And setting out from thence they 
marched in haste against Scythopo- 
lis, which is distant from Jerusalem 

30 six hundred furlongs. But when the 
Jews that were settled there testified 
of the good will that the Scythopo- 
litans had shewn toward them, and of 
their kindly bearing toward them in 

31 the times of their misfortune, they 
gave thanks, and further exhorted 
them to remain well affected toward 
the race for the future; and they 
went up to Jerusalem, the feast of 
weeks being close at hand. 

32 But after the feast called Pentecost 
they marched in haste against Gor- 

335 gias the governor of Idumzea: and he 
came out with three thousand footmen 

34and four hundred horsemen. And 
when they had set themselves in array, 
it came to pass that a few of the Jews 

35 fell. And a certain Dositheus, one 
Sof Bacenor’s company, who was on 
horseback and a strong man, pressed 
hard on Gorgias, and taking hold of 
his cloke drew him along by main 
force; and while he was minded to 
take the accursed man alive, one of 
the Thracian horsemen bore down 
upon him and disabled his shoulder, 
and so Gorgias escaped unto ® Marisa. 

36 And when they that were with Es- 
dris had been fighting long and were 
wearied out, Judas called upon the 
Lord to shew himself, fighting on 
their side and leading the van of the 

57 battle; and then in the language of 
his fathers he raised the battle-cry 
joined with hymns, and rushing un- 
awares upon the troops of Gorgias 
put them to flight. 

38 And Judas gathering his army came 
unto the city of 7 Adullam; and as 
the seventh day was coming on, they 





purified themselves according to the 
custom, and kept the sabbath there. 
39 And on the day following, “ at which 
time it had become necessary, Judas 
and his company came to take up the 
bodies of them that had fallen, 12 and 
in company with their kinsmen to 
bring them back unto the sepulchres 
40 of their fathers. But under the gar- 
ments of each one of the dead they 
found #* consecrated tokens of the 
idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids 
the Jews to have aught to do with; 
and it became clear to all that it was 
for this cause that they had fallen. 
41 All therefore, blessing the works of 
the Lord, the righteous Judge, who 
maketh manifest the things that are 
42 hid, betook themselves unto supplica- 
tion, beseeching that the sin commit- 
ted might be wholly blotted out. And 
the noble Judas exhorted the multi- 
tude to keep themselves from sin, for- 
somuch as they had seen before their 
eyes what things had come to pass 
because of the sin of them that had 
43 fallen. And when he had made a 
collection man by man to the sum of 
two thousand drachmas of silver, he 
sent unto Jerusalem to offer a sacri- 
fice for sin, doing therein right well 
and honourably, in that he took 
44 thought for a resurrection. For if he 
were not expecting that they that had 
fallen would rise again, it were super- 
fluous and idle to pray for the dead. 
45 (And if he did it looking unto an hon- 
ourable memorial of gratitude laid up 
for them that 14 die » in godliness, holy 
and godly was the thought.) Where- 
fore he made the propitiation for them 
that had died, that they might be re- 
léased from their sin. 
18 In the hundred forty and ninth year 
tidings were brought to Judas and his 
company that Antiochus Eupator was 


coming with great multitudes against 


2Judza, and with him Lysias his 
guardian and chancellor, 1° each hay- 
ing a Greek force, a hundred and ten 
thousand footmen, and five thousand 
and three hundred horsemen, and two 
and twenty elephants, and three hun- 
dred chariots armed with scythes. 

3 And Menelaus also joined himself 
with them, and with great dissimula- 
tion encouraged Antiochus, not for the 
saving of his country, but because he 
thought that he would be set over the 

4 government. But the King of kings 
stirred up the 1 passion of Antiochus 
against the wicked wretch; and when 
Lysias informed him that this man 
was the cause of all the evils, the king 
commanded to bring him unto Berea, 
and ¢to put him to death after the 

5 manner of that place. Now there is 
in that place a tower of fifty cubits 
high, full of ashes, and it had all 
round it a7§ gallery descending sheer 


172 











nate 








13. 20. 


Il. MACCABEES. 


14, 8. 





11 Gr. 
him. 








-6on every side into the ashes. Here 
him that is guilty of sacrilege, or hath 
attained a preeminence in any other 
evil deeds, they ‘all push forward 

Tinto destruction. By such a fate it 
befell the breaker of the law, Mene- 
-laus, to die, without obtaining so 
much as @ grave in the earth, and 
S8that right justly; for inasmuch as 
he had perpetrated many sins *against 
the altar, whose fire and whose ashes 
were holy, in ashes did he receive his 
th 


death. 

9 Now the king, * infuriated in spirit, 
was coming with intent to inflict on 
the Jews the very worst of the suffer- 
ings that had befallen them in his 

10 father’s time. But when Judas heard 
of these things, he gave charge to the 
multitude to call upon the Lord day 
and night, beseeching him, if ever at 
any other time, so now to succour 
them that were at the point to be de- 
prived of the law and their country 

11 and the holy temple, and not to suffer 
the people that had been but now a 
little while revived to fall into the 

12 hands of those profane heathen. So 
when they had all done the same 
thing together, * beseeching the 
merciful Lord with weeping and fast- 
ings and prostration for three days 
without ceasing, Judas exhorted them 
and commanded they should join him 

13 for service. And having gone apart 
with the elders he resolved that, be- 
fore the king’s army should enter 
into Judza and make themselves 
masters of the city, they should go 
forth and try the matter in fight by 

14the help of >God. And committing 
the decision to the ®Lord of the 
world, and exhorting them that were 
with him to contend nobly even unto 
death for laws, temple, city, country, 
7 commonwealth, he pitched his camp 

15 by Modin. And having given out to 
his men the watchword, VICTORY Is 
Gop’s, with a chosen body of the 
bravest young men he fell upon the 
camp by night and penetrated to the 
king’s * tent, and slew 1of the army 
as many as two thousand men, and 
1 brought down the chiefest elephant 
with him that was in the * tower upon 

16him. And at last they filled the 
°army with terror and alarm, and 

17 departed with good success. And this 
had been accomplished when the day 
was but now dawning, because of the 
Sep protection that gave ™ Judas 

elp. 

18 But the king, having had a taste of 
the exceeding boldness of the Jews, 
made attempts by stratagem upon 

19 their positions, and upon a strong 
fortress of the Jews at Bethsura; he 
advanced, was turned back, failed, 

20 was defeated. And Judas conveyed 
such things as were necessary unto 





21 them that were within. But Rhodo- 
eus, from the Jewish ranks, made 
known to the enemy the secrets of his 
coun He was sought out, and 

22 taken, and shut up in prison. The 
king treated with them in Bethsura 
the second time, gave his hand, took 
theirs, departed, attacked the forces 

23 of Judas, was put to the worse, heard 
that Philip who had been left as 
chancellor in Antioch had become 
reckless, was confounded, made to the 
Jews an overture of peace, submitted 
himself and sware to acknowledge all 
their rights, came to terms with them 
and offered sacrifice, honoured the 

24 sanctuary and the place, shewed kind- 
ness and graciously received Mac- 
eabzeus, left Hegemonides governor 
from Ptolemais even unto the ” Ger- 

25 renians, came to Ptolemais. The men 
of Ptolemais were displeased at the 

» treaty, for they had exceeding great 
indignation against the Jews: they de- 
sired to annul the articles of the agree- 

26 ment. Lysias “came forward to 
speak, made the best defence that 
was possible, persuaded, pacified, 
made them well affected, departed 
unto Antioch. This was the issue of 
the inroad and departure of the king. 

14 Now after a space of three years 
tidings were brought to Judas and his 
company that Demetrius the son of 
Seleucus, having sailed into the haven 
of Tripolis with a mighty host and a 


12 The 
form of 
this word 


2 fleet, had gotten possession of the | sea 


country, having made away with An- 
tiochus and Lysias his guardian. 

3 But one Alcimus, who had formerly 
been high priest, and had wilfully pol- 
luted himself in the times when there 
was no mingling with the Gentiles, 
considering that there was no deliver- 
ance for him in any way, hor any more 

4access unto the holy altar, came to 
king Demetrius in about the hundred 
and one and fiftieth year, presenting 
to him a chaplet of gold and a palm, 
and beside these some of the festal 
olive boughs of the temple. And for 

5 that day he held his peace; but hav- 
ing gotten opportunity to further his 
own madness, being called by Deme- 
trius into a meeting of his council, and 
asked how the Jews stood affected 
and what they purposed, he answered 

6 thereunto, Those of the Jews that be 
called 14 Hasidzeans, whose leader is 
Judas Maccabzeus, keep up war, and 
are seditious, not suffering the king- 

7 dom to find tranquillity. Wherefore, 
having laid aside mine ancestral 
glory, I mean the high priesthood, I 

8am now come “ hither; first for the 
unfeigned care I have for the things 
that concern the king, and secondly 
because I have regard also to mine 
own fellow-citizens: for, through the 
unadvised dealing of those of whom 


173 


14 That 














14, 24. 


Il. MACCABEES. 


14. 37. 








1 Or, is 
hardly 
bestead 


2 Or, the 
king’s 
Friends 
likewise 
3 See ch. 
Viii. 9. 


titudes. 





Ispake before, our whole race is in no 
9small misfortune. But do thou, O 
king, having informed thyself of these 
things severally, take thought both for 
our country and for our race, which 
1is surrounded by foes, according to 
the gracious kindness with which thou 

10 receivestall. For as longas Judas re- 
maineth alive, it is impossible that the 

11 state should find peace. And when he 
had spoken such words as these, at 
once ? the rest of the king’s * Friends, 
having ill will against Judas, inflamed 

12 Demetrius yet more. And forthwith 
appointing Nicanor, who had been 
master of the elephants, and making 
him governor of Judza, he sent him 

13 forth, giving him written instructions 
to make away with Judas himself and 
to scatter them that were with him, 
and to set up Alcimus as high priest 

14 of the ‘great temple. And * those in 
Judea that *had before driven Judas 
into exile thronged to Nicanor in 
flocks, supposing that the misfortunes 
and calamities of the Jews would be 
successes to themselves. 

15 But when the Jews heard of Nica- 
nor’s inroad and the assault of the 
heathen, they sprinkled earth wpon 
their heads and made solemn suppli- 
cation to him who had established his 
own people for evermore, and who al- 
way, making manifest his presence, 
upholdeth them that are his own por- 

16 tion. 7 And when the leader had given 
his commands, he straightway setteth 
out from thence, and joineth battle 
with them at a village called Lessau. 

17 But Simon, the brother of Judas, had 
encountered Nicanor, ®yet not ‘till 
late, having received a check by rea- 
son of the sudden consternation caus- 
ed by his adversaries. 

18 Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the 
manliness of them that were with 
Judas, and their courage in fighting 
for their country, shrank from bring- 
ing the matter to the decision of the 

19 sword. Wherefore he sent Posidonius 
and Theodotus and Mattathias to give 

20 and receive pledges of friendship. So 
when these proposals had been long 
considered, and the leader had made 
the *troops acquainted therewith, 
and it appeared that they were all of 
like mind, they consented to the cove- 

21 nants. And they appointed a day on 
which to meet together by themselves. 
And a litter was borne forward from 

22each army; they set chairs of state ; 
Judas stationed armed men ready in 
convenient places, lest haply there 
should suddenly be treachery on the 
part of the enemy; they held such 

23 conference as was meet. Nicanor 
tarried in Jerusalem, and did nothing 
to cause disturbance, but dismissed 
the flocks of people that had gathered 

24 together. And he kept Judas always 





in his presence; he had gained a 

25 hearty affection for the man ; he urged 
him to marry and beget children; he 
married, settled quietly, took part in 
common life. 

26 But Alcimus, perceiving the good 
will that was betwixt them, and 
having got possession of the cove- 
nants that had been made, came unto 
Demetrius and told him that Nicanor 
was ill affected toward the state, for 
he had appointed that conspirator 
against his kingdom, Judas, to be his 

27 successor. And the king, falling into 
a rage, and being exasperated by the 
calumnies of that most wicked man, 
wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he 
was displeased at the covenants, and 
commanding him to send Maccabzeus 
prisoner unto Antioch in all haste. 

28 And when this message came to Ni- 
eanor, he was confounded, and was 
sore troubled at the thought of annul- 
ling the articles that had been agreed 
upon, the man having done no wrong; 

29 but because there was no dealing 
against the king, he watched his time 
to execute this purpose by strata- 

30 gem. But Maccabzeus, when he per- 
ceived that Nicanor was behaving 
more harshly in his dealings with him, 
and that he had become ruder in his 
customary bearing, understanding 
that this harshness came not of good, 
gathered together not a few of his 
men, and concealed himself from Ni- 
canor. 

31 But the other, “when he became 


aware that he had been bravely de- | ; 


feated by the stratagem of ” Judas, 
came to the ‘great and holy temple, 
while the priests were offering the 
usual sacrifices, and commanded them 

32 to deliver up the man. And when they 
declared with oaths that they had no 
knowledge where the man was whom 

33 he sought, he stretched forth his right 
hand toward the sanctuary, and sware 
this oath: If ye will not deliver up to 
me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this 
18temple of God even with the ground, 
and will break down the altar, and I 
willerecthereatemple unto 4 Bacchus 

34 for all to see. And having said this 
he departed. But the priests, stretch- 
ing forth their hands toward heaven, 
called upon him that ever fighteth for 

35 our nation, in these words: Thou, %O 
Lord of the universe, whoin thyself 
hast need of nothing, wast well pleas- 
ed that a sanctuary of thy ’° habitation 

36 should be set among us; so now, O 
holy Lord of all hallowing, keep un- 
defiled for ever this house that hath 
been lately cleansed. 

37 Now information was given to Ni- 
canor against one Razis, an elder of 
Jerusalem, 7 as being a lover of his 
countrymen and a man of very good 
report, and one called Father of the 


174 





11 Or, 
though 
€ was 
con- 


scious 
that he 
had 
nobly de- 
Seated by 


12 Gr. 
the man. 


taber- 
nacling. 


17 Or, 
who was 
a lover 

















Il. MACCABEES. 


15. 20. 





1b. 7. 


ie 





_ Jews for his good will toward them. 

38 For in the former times when there 

- was no mingling with the Gentiles he 
had been accused of cleaving to the 

_ Jews’ religion, and had jeoparded 
body and life with all earnestness for 

39 the religion of the Jews. And Nicanor, 

_ wishing to make evident the ill will 
that he bare unto the Jews, sent above 

40 five hundred soldiers to take him ; for 
he thought by taking him to inflict a 

41 calamity upon them. But when the 

_itroops were on the point of taking 

‘the tower, and were forcing the door 

- of the court, and bade bring fire and 
burn the doors, he being surrounded 
on every side fell upon his sword, 

42 choosing rather to die nobly than to 
fall into the hands of the wicked 
wretches, and suffer outrage unworthy 

43 of his own nobleness: but since he 
missed his stroke through the excite- 
ment of the struggle, and the crowds 
were now rushing within the door, he 

. Yan bravely up to the wall and cast 
himself down manfully among the 

44crowds. But as they quickly gave 
back, a space was made, and he fell on 

45 the middle of 2 his side. And having 
yet breath within him, and being in- 
flamed with passion, he rose up, and 
though his blood gushed out in 
streams and his wounds were griev- 
ous, he ran through the crowds, and 

46 standing upon a steep rock, when as 

his blood was now well nigh spent, 
he drew forth his bowels through the 
wound, and taking them in both his 
hands he shook them at the crowds ; 
and calling upon him who is Lord of 
the life and the ‘spirit to restore 
him * these again, he thus died. 

15 But Nicanor, hearing that Judas and 
his company were in the region of 
Samaria, resolved to set upon them 
with all security on the day of rest. 

2 And when the Jews that were com- 
pelled to follow him said, O destroy 
not so savagely and barbarously, but 
give due glory to the day which he 
that beholdeth all things hath * hon- 
oured and hallowed above other days; 

3 then the thrice-accursed wretch asked 
if there were a Sovereign in heaven 
that had commanded to keep the sab- 

4bath day. And when they declared, 
There is the Lord, living himself a 
Sovereign in heaven, who bade ws ob- 

5 serve the seventh day ; then saith the 
other, I also am a sovereign upon the 
earth, 7 who now command to take up 
arms and execute the king’s business. 
Nevertheless he prevailed not to exe- 
cute his * cruel purpose. 

6 And Nicanor, ° bearing himself 
haughtily in all vaingloriousness, had 
determined to set up a monument of 
complete victory over Judas and all 

7 them that were with him: but Macca- 
beeus still trusted unceasingly, with all 





hope that he should obtain help from 
8the Lord. And he exhorted his com- 
pany not to. be fearful at the 1 inroad 
of the heathen, but, keeping in mind 
the help which of old they had oft- 
times received from heaven, so now 
also to look for the victory which 
would come unto them from the Al- 
9mighty; and comforting them out of 
the law and the prophets, and withal 
putting them in mind of the conflicts 
that they had maintained, he made 
10 them more eager for the battle. And 
when he had roused their ™ spirit, he 
gave them his commands, at the same 
time pointing out the perfidiousness of 
the heathen and their breach of their 
lloaths. And arming each one of them, 
not so much with the sure defence of 
shields and spears as with the encou- 
ragement that lieth in good words,and 
moreover relating to them a dream 
12 worthy to be believed, he made them 


10 Or, 
assault 


11 Or . 
passion 


12 all exceeding glad. And the vision of | most 


that dream was this: He saw Onias, | ° 


him that was high priest, a noble and 
good man, reverend in bearing, yet 
gentle in manner and well-spoken, and 
exercised from a child in all points 
of virtue, with outstretched hands in- 
voking blessings on the whole body of 

13 the Jews: thereupon he saw a man 
appear, of venerable age and exceed- 
ing glory, and wonderful and most 
majestic was the dignity around him: 

14 and Onias answered and said, This 
is the lover of the brethren, he who 
prayeth much for the people and the 
holy city, Jeremiah the prophet of 

15 God: and Jeremiah stretching forth 
his right hand delivered to Judas 
a sword of gold, and in giving it 

16 addressed him thus, Take the holy 
sword, a gift from God, wherewith 

_ thoushalt smite down the adversaries. 

17 And being encouraged by the words 
of Judas, which were of a lofty strain, 
and able to incite unto virtue and to 
stir the souls of the young unto manly 
courage, they determined “not to 
carry on a campaign, but nobly to 
bear down upon the enemy, and fight- 
ing hand to hand with all courage 
bring the matter to an issue, because 
the city and the sanctuary and the 

18 temple were in danger. For their 
fear for wives and children, and fur- 
thermore for brethren and kinsfolk, 
was in less account with them; but 
greatest and first was their fear for 

19 the consecrated sanctuary. And they 
also that were shut up in the city were 
in no light distress, being troubled be- 
eause of the encounter in the open 
ground. 

20 And when all were now waiting for 
the decision of the issue, and the ene- 
my had already joined battle, and the 
army had been set in array, and the 
14 elephants » brought back to a con- 


175 











\ 








2 


II. MACCABEES. 


15. 39. 








4 Gr. 
camp. 


5 Or, be- 
wilder- 
ment 





venient post, and the horsemen drawn 
21up ‘ton the flank, Maccabzeus, per- 
ceiving the presence of the ? troops, 
and the various arms with which they 
were equipped, and the savageness of 
the * elephants, holding up his hands 
unto heaven called upon the Lord 
that. worketh wonders, recognising 
that success cometh not by arms, but 
that, according as the Lord shall 
judge, he gaineth the victory for them 
22 that are worthy. And calling upon 
God he said after this manner: Thou, 
O Sovereign Lord, didst send thine 
angel in the time of Hezekiah king of 
Judza, and he slew of the * host of 
Sennacherib aS many as a hundred 
23 fourscore and five thousand; so now 
also, O Sovereign of the heavens, send 
a good angel before us to bring terror 
24 and trembling : through the greatness 
of thine arm let them be stricken with 
dismay that with blasphemy are come 
hither against thy holy people. And 
25 as he ended with these words, Nicanor 
and his company advanced with trum- 
26 pets and pzeans; but Judas and his 
company joined battle with the enemy 
27 with invocation and prayers. And con- 
tending with their hands, and praying 
unto God with their hearts, they slew 
no less than thirty and five thousand 
men, being made exceeding glad by 
the manifestation of God. 
28 And when the engagement was over, 
and they were returning again with 
joy, they recognised Nicanor lying 
29 dead in full armour; and there arose 
a shout and 5 tumult, and then they 
blessed the Sovereign Zord in the 
30 language of their fathers. And he 
that in all things was in body and soul 
the foremost champion of his fellow- 
citizens, he that kept through life the 
good will of his youth toward his 
countrymen, commanded to cut off 
Nicanor’s head, and his hand with the 
shoulder, and bring them to Jerusalem. 
31 And when he had arrived there, and 
had called his countrymen together 





and set the priests before the altar, 
he sent for them that were in the 
32 citadel; and shewing the head of the 
vile Nicanor, and the hand of that 
profane man, which with proud brags 
he had stretched out against the holy 
33 house of the Almighty, and cutting 
out the tongue of the impious Nicanor, 
he said that he would give *it by pieces 
to the birds, and hang up the 7rewards 
of his madness over against the sanc- 
34 tuary. And they all looking up unto 
heaven blessed *the Lord who had 
manifested himself, saying, Blessed be 
he that hath preserved his own place 
35 undefiled. And he hanged Nicanor’s 
head and shoulder from the citadel, a 
sign, evident unto all and manifest, 
36 of the help of the Lord. And they all 
ordained with a common decree in no 
wise to let this day pass undistin- 
guished, but to mark with honour the 
- thirteenth day of the twelfth month (it 
is called Adar in the Syrian tongue), 
the day before the day of Mordecai. 


37 Turis then having been the issue of 
the attempt of Nicanor, and the city 
having from those times been held by 
the Hebrews, I also will here make an 

38 end of my book. And if J have written 
well and to the point in my story, this 
is what Imyself desired ; butif meanly 
and indifferently, this is all I could at- 

39tain unto. For as it is * distasteful 
to drink wine alone and in like manner 
again to drink water alone, ! while 
the mingling of wine with water at 
once " giveth full pleasantness to the 
flavour; so also the fashioning of the 


language delighteth the ears of them | 


that read the story. 
And here shall be the end. 


176 


THE END OF APOCRYPHA. 


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